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The United Nations is once again facing questions over its relevancy and ability to shape global events following the United States’ Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday held an emergency meeting on the attack, shortly before Maduro and Flores were arraigned in a Manhattan federal court where they pleaded not guilty. Though the United States faced fierce criticism from a number of countries on the council, the body is powerless to take any steps to punish Washington for its actions. As one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, the United States can veto resolutions and would undoubtedly block any such steps. The situation, similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has exposed the international community’s limitations when it comes to confronting unilateral military actions taken by powerful countries.

The United Nations is once again facing questions over its relevancy and ability to shape global events following the United States’ Jan. 3 attack on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday held an emergency meeting on the attack, shortly before Maduro and Flores were arraigned in a Manhattan federal court where they pleaded not guilty. Though the United States faced fierce criticism from a number of countries on the council, the body is powerless to take any steps to punish Washington for its actions. As one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, the United States can veto resolutions and would undoubtedly block any such steps. The situation, similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has exposed the international community’s limitations when it........

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