In December 2023, during an emergency session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution regarding Gaza, which included several demands: an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas and the beginning of the genocidal war in Gaza, a vast majority of the countries in the “community of nations” (153 states) logically called for essential points of international law to be respected. Among the ten countries that opposed were the United States and Israel. Among the abstainers were ten European countries, including heavyweight members of the G7 (United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Canada).
In January 2026, there was no UN vote on the abduction of Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president, by the United States. However, the violation is as clear as the waters of the Caribbean. The abduction of a sitting leader on his own territory by a foreign power violates three pillars of the organization’s charter. Article 2, paragraph 4, prohibits “the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” Removing a head of state constitutes the most direct infringement on a nation’s political independence. Article 2, paragraph 1, upholds “the sovereign equality” of all its members.
