After special forces of the United States of America abducted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, in a brazen and illegal act, the United Nations Security Council met and condemnations of the US’s actions and its violation of international law followed from most UNSC members. The US’s response has been illuminating: more threats from President Donald Trump against Greenland, Mexico, Colombia and Iran. And the US itself has been the guiltiest party when it comes to breaking international law. But the assertion of such agency on the part of the UN has been rare in recent times even as some of its key member states flout the international rules of engagement. It took a world war to convince the world of the need for multilateralism.

Source: The Telegraph January 12, 2026 02:34 UTC