The International Community Must Respect Venezuela's Sovereign Rights

Jakarta: The Indonesian government has reminded the public to respect the right of every country's people to sovereignty. This was stated in response to the United States (US) attack and subsequent arrest of President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026.

"It is important for the international community to respect the rights and will of the Venezuelan people in exercising their sovereignty and determining the direction and future of their nation," said a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by X, Sunday, January 4, 2026.

"Indonesia is meeting with all parties to prioritize dialogue and restraint, and to comply with international law, including the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, whose safety and well-being must remain a top priority," the statement added.

Indonesia believes that the US action risks setting a dangerous precedent in international relations and could disrupt regional peace and stability, as well as jeopardize the principles of sovereignty and diplomacy.

Is there a legal basis?

International law professor Hikmahanto Juwana believes that President Donald Trump's order to launch a military attack on Venezuela, along with the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro, who was subsequently flown to the US for trial, can be prohibited as a fundamental violation of international law.

Hikmahanto stated that the actions of a state attacking another state, even bringing that state's head of government to trial in the aggressor's court, are prohibited under customary international law. This principle is expressly accommodated in the UN Charter, specifically Article 2 paragraph (4).

Article 2 paragraph (4) of the UN Charter states that all member states must refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or from any action contrary to the purposes of the United Nations.

However, Hikmahanto believes the United States will likely invoke Article 51 of the UN Charter as a basis for defense. This article regulates the inherent rights of a state to defend itself, either individually or collectively, in the event of an armed attack against a UN member state, until the Security Council takes the necessary steps to maintain international peace and security.

According to Hikmahanto, for the United States, countering the drug war is seen as an essential national interest. In this context, President Maduro is considered uncooperative in drug eradication efforts, even allowing Venezuelan territory to be exploited by drug networks to smuggle narcotics into the United States.

He emphasized that Donald Trump's actions do not constitute a new precedent in the history of United States foreign policy. In 1990, under US President George H.W. Bush, the United States invaded Panama and brought then-Panamanian President Manuel Noriega to the United States for trial in the Miami Court.

Hikmahanto believes that the current concern is whether the United States will report the use of Article 51 of the UN Charter to the UN Security Council, as debated in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.