{"id":268393,"date":"2026-01-06T11:51:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.ghanamma.com\/za\/2026\/01\/06\/south-africans-react-to-us-venezuela-crisis\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T11:51:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T11:51:00","slug":"south-africans-react-to-us-venezuela-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/za\/2026\/01\/06\/south-africans-react-to-us-venezuela-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africans react to US-Venezuela crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

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South Africa has criticised the United States for its recent actions against Venezuelan President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro, warning that the alleged abduction and arrest of a sitting head of state undermines international law and the UN Charter.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s position was outlined before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by Jonathan Passmoor, the Acting Deputy Permanent Representative. His statement, delivered during a recent UNSC session, emphasised the global significance of the Venezuela crisis, particularly the precedent it could set for international relations.<\/p>\n

South Africa warned that the US\u2019s move to apprehend Maduro\u2014who stands accused of being involved in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy\u2014violates Venezuela\u2019s sovereignty and weakens the rules-based international order.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen force replaces law, protection is replaced by dangerous precedent,\u201d the South African delegation cautioned. It stressed that no country should be allowed to act as judge, jury and executioner in international affairs.<\/p>\n

Quoting the UN Charter, Passmoor reminded member states that they are bound “to settle our international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace, security and justice are not endangered.” The remark was widely interpreted as a direct criticism of Washington\u2019s actions.<\/p>\n

He also underscored a foundational UN principle: \u201cNo nation can claim to be legally or morally superior to another,\u201d a message aimed at reinforcing the importance of sovereignty and equal treatment among member states.<\/p>\n

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Jealous down South African politics will change the politics of the world we want peace pic.twitter.com\/qeUnD21C5g<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 katakata Dieta Tsa tshepe\ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6\ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udcaa (@PhaliSimpi11142) January 5, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Public reaction to South Africa\u2019s remarks has been sharply divided. On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), users expressed both support and concern over the country\u2019s stance.<\/p>\n

One user, Lesley Bergman, wrote: \u201cThe Republic of South Africa should be concerned about its own \u2018situation\u2019 instead of trying to muscle its way into global affairs. We’re a guppy amongst the sharks, dearie. Of no consequence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another user, Masandawana, called for a stronger position: \u201cThis statement is too mild for my liking. I expected SA to strongly condemn what the rogue state of America has done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francois Minnaar was more critical: \u201cThis is really not funny anymore. We are all going to be dumped into misery because of our tone-deaf government playing ideological games and constantly looking for trouble with the most powerful country in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others, however, welcomed South Africa\u2019s diplomatic posture.<\/p>\n

User Village Headman commented: \u201cSouth Africa always provides leadership, guidance and calls out the bully of our time, USA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Katakata Dieta Tsa Tshepe added: \u201cJealousy down, South African politics will change the politics of the world. We want peace.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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