Ghana condemns US military action in Venezuela as Accra voiced alarm over a unilateral invasion, abduction allegations, and statements undermining sovereignty, international law, and global stability worldwide.
The Government of Ghana said events unfolding in Caracas during early January shocked policymakers, diplomats, and observers concerned about escalating tensions and weakening respect for established international norms.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the operation as unauthorised, stressing that force used outside multilateral approval threatens peace and undermines collective security mechanisms.
Ghana noted reports indicating President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were abducted during the operation, calling for clarity, restraint, and immediate respect for personal liberty.
Officials warned that actions violating the United Nations Charter erode principles protecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, especially smaller or developing nations.
According to Accra, precedent-setting military interventions risk normalising power politics, where might supersedes law, encouraging instability across regions already grappling with fragile governance structures.
The statement referenced remarks attributed to President Donald Trump suggesting Washington would “run” Venezuela during a transition, raising fears of external administration and prolonged occupation.
Ghana said such rhetoric echoed colonial and imperialist eras, when powerful nations dictated outcomes, controlled resources, and marginalised local populations under coercive arrangements.
Accra highlighted concerns about reported plans inviting major US oil companies to operate in Venezuela, cautioning against perceptions of resource-driven interventionism.
A senior Ghanaian diplomat remarked, “Africa knows the cost of foreign domination, and we cannot endorse practices reminiscent of painful historical experiences.”
Ghana’s position aligns with its long-standing foreign policy prioritising non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and strict adherence to international law and multilateral decision-making processes.
The government emphasised that only Venezuelans possess legitimate authority to decide their political future through inclusive, democratic, and internally driven processes.
Ghana urged immediate de-escalation, calling on all parties to halt military activities, protect civilians, and facilitate humanitarian access amid reports of casualties and infrastructure damage.
Accra also appealed to international mediators to engage constructively, using diplomacy rather than force to resolve disputes surrounding governance and legitimacy in Venezuela.
The statement warned that disregard for sovereignty weakens the international order, encouraging unilateralism that destabilises alliances and undermines confidence in global institutions.
Ghana recalled its consistent opposition to invasion, occupation, apartheid, and colonialism, pledging continued advocacy for these principles across international forums.
Observers note Ghana’s intervention reflects broader African unease about great-power competition increasingly playing out through military pressure and economic leverage.
An Accra-based analyst said, “This is not just about Venezuela; it is about protecting rules that prevent chaos in international relations.”
Ghana’s condemnation resonated with several Global South nations wary of interventions framed as stabilisation but resulting in prolonged instability and contested authority.
The government stressed that accountability mechanisms must be respected, insisting that alleged violations be addressed through lawful international processes.
Accra called for the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, describing detention without due process as unacceptable under international conventions.
Ghana encouraged the United Nations Security Council to deliberate urgently, seeking collective responses rather than fragmented national actions.
Diplomats argued that selective application of international law erodes legitimacy, making peaceful conflict resolution increasingly difficult.
Ghana’s position also reflects concern about civilian harm, displacement, and economic disruption resulting from sudden military operations.
A foreign ministry source stated, “History teaches that military solutions rarely deliver durable peace or democratic renewal.”
The statement urged restraint in public communications, warning that inflammatory rhetoric can harden positions and escalate confrontations unnecessarily.
Ghana reaffirmed support for dialogue facilitated by neutral actors, regional organisations, and respected international envoys.
Analysts say Accra’s message reinforces Africa’s broader call for reforming global governance to prioritise equity, legality, and shared responsibility.
The government acknowledged Venezuela’s internal challenges but rejected external coercion as a legitimate remedy.
Ghana emphasised solidarity with peoples facing instability, advocating humanitarian assistance free from political conditionality.
The statement underscored Africa’s historical memory of externally imposed regimes and economic exploitation.
Accra pledged to work with partners defending multilateralism, sovereignty, and peaceful dispute settlement.
Ghana’s condemnation adds diplomatic pressure amid widening global debate over intervention norms.
Observers believe such statements could influence deliberations within non-aligned and developing country blocs.
Read also: Democrats condemn Trump’s military raid on Venezuela as unlawful, reckless
Ghana urged media and leaders to avoid narratives justifying force through economic or ideological claims.
The government reiterated that sustainable peace requires consent, inclusion, and respect for national institutions.
Accra warned that unchecked unilateralism risks fragmenting the international system.
Ghana concluded by calling for calm, legality, and humanity to guide responses.
The statement reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to defending international law globally.
