Trending 
The Confederation of Sahel States (AES) has strongly condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela, describing it as an act of aggression and calling on the United Nations Security Council to denounce the intervention.
In a statement issued on January 8, 2026, in Ouagadougou and signed by Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who also chairs the AES, the bloc said the operation amounted to an illegal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.
The AES urged the UN Security Council to fully exercise its mandate under the UN Charter by clearly condemning the US military action and working toward the restoration of international law. It warned that the intervention, carried out by a permanent member of the Security Council, undermines the international order and poses serious risks to global stability.
Reaffirming its position on international law, the Sahel bloc stressed that the use of armed force by one state against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of another constitutes an act of aggression. It condemned the operation as a grave violation of international law and of the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
The AES further criticised what it described as the unilateral use of force by the United States, expressing deep concern that a permanent member of the Security Council had engaged in actions contrary to international legal norms.
According to the statement, the bloc made three key demands: that the Security Council formally condemn the US military action and restore international legality; that the principles of sovereign equality and respect for states under the UN Charter be reaffirmed; and that solidarity be expressed with the Venezuelan people, whose sovereignty it said had been violated.
The AES position follows a statement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which expressed concern over recent developments while acknowledging the right of states to combat international crimes such as terrorism and drug trafficking.
The condemnation comes against heightened tensions after US President Donald Trump announced the transfer of between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States, with revenues to be controlled by Washington. The January 3 military operation in Caracas reportedly resulted in 55 deaths among Venezuelan and Cuban forces.
Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, rejected claims of foreign control, insisting that Venezuela remained governed by its own authorities and not by any external power.
Across Africa, several governments and regional bodies have shown similar concerns. Ghana described the operation as a unilateral invasion and warned against what it termed colonial ambitions, while Chad reaffirmed its commitment to respect for international law. South Africa and the African Union also expressed grave concern and called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The AES added that the Venezuelan crisis extends beyond South America, describing it as a critical test of the international order and respect for the rule of law.
It reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and strict adherence to international law as essential to collective security and global peace.
The bloc also noted that it had recently applied the principle of reciprocity in response to US visa restrictions imposed on its citizens.
