US airstrikes in Venezuela and the forcible seizure of President Nicolas Maduro have ignited legal and regional concerns, warns Professor Christopher Isike, President of the African Association of Political Science and professor at the University of Pretoria.
Speaking to CGTN, Isike noted that while Washington justifies its actions on counter-drug and anti-crime grounds, the operation ultimately falls outside established international legal frameworks governing the use of force. "There's no clear congressional authorization," he said, pointing to gaps in both international law and U.S. domestic requirements.
Beyond legality, the expert highlighted sovereignty concerns. By bypassing legal checks, the move risks destabilizing Latin America's fragile political balance, undermining trust among neighboring states and fueling a diplomatic backlash 😮.
Isike also considered the responsibility to protect doctrine. He acknowledged that advocates might argue the intervention brings relief to most Venezuelans, including over 10 million in the diaspora. Yet he posed the tough question: "How do you resolve an illegality with another illegality?" 🤔
Looking further afield, Isike explained that African states already tense with Washington may see this act as a sign of a more assertive, personalized U.S. foreign policy—one with less tolerance for adversarial governments.
Such actions, he warned, could reshape international norms on sovereignty and influence how future U.S. military engagements in Africa and elsewhere are perceived, creating ripples that extend far beyond the region 🌍.
Reference(s):
Expert weighs in on U.S. move in Venezuela and its impact on Africa
cgtn.com
