IN NEWS: UN Secretary-General warns that US military action in Venezuela sets a dangerous precedent

Analysis

• The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep alarm over the US military action in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.
• According to the UN Spokesperson, the Secretary-General warned that the action sets a dangerous precedent and could have serious implications for regional stability.
• He emphasised that there are serious concerns about non-respect of international law, particularly the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
• The statement underlines the core UN principle that the use of force must conform to international law and established multilateral procedures.
• The Secretary-General stressed the importance of full respect for international law, including:
  • State sovereignty
  • Non-intervention
  • Collective security mechanisms under the UN Charter
• He called for an inclusive political dialogue in Venezuela, to be conducted in:
  • Full respect of human rights
  • Rule of law
• The episode gains importance in the context of:
  • Growing geopolitical divisions within the UN Security Council
  • Frequent use of vetoes in recent years
  • Increasing instances of unilateral military actions bypassing UNSC authorisation
• The development highlights concerns about the erosion of the authority of the UN Security Council, which has primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

Background / Static Part 

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

Formation and Status

• Established: 24 October 1945
• Type: Principal organ of the United Nations
• Primary Role: Maintenance of international peace and security
• Nature: Permanent body, functions continuously
• Legal Basis: UN Charter, Chapter V (Articles 23–32)
• Binding Authority: Only UN organ whose decisions are legally binding on all Member States

Composition (Article 23)

• Total Members: 15

Permanent Members (P5):

• China
• France
• Russian Federation
• United Kingdom
• United States

Non-Permanent Members (10):

• Elected by the UN General Assembly
• Term: Two years
• Immediate re-election: Not permitted
• Selection based on:
  • Contribution to maintenance of international peace and security
  • Equitable geographical distribution
• Each member has one representative

Changes in Non-Permanent Members of the UN Security Council (2026)

• As per UN practice, one-third of the non-permanent members of the UNSC change every year.
• From January 2026, the following five countries have begun their two-year terms (2026–27):
  • Bahrain
  • Colombia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
  • Latvia
  • Liberia
• These countries replace:
  • Algeria
  • Guyana
  • Republic of Korea
  • Sierra Leone
  • Slovenia
• They join the remaining five non-permanent members serving till end-2026:
  • Denmark
  • Greece
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Somalia

Functions and Powers (Articles 24–26)

Article 24

• Member States confer on the UNSC primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
• The UNSC acts on behalf of all UN Members.
• Must function in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the UN.
• Specific powers are exercised under:
  • Chapter VI (Peaceful settlement of disputes)
  • Chapter VII (Action with respect to threats to peace)
  • Chapter VIII
  • Chapter XII
• Submits annual and special reports to the General Assembly.

Article 25

• UN Members agree to accept and carry out decisions of the Security Council.

Article 26

• The UNSC is responsible for formulating plans for the regulation of armaments, assisted by the Military Staff Committee (Article 47).

Voting System (Article 27)

• Each member has one vote.
• Procedural matters:
  • Affirmative vote of 9 members.
• Substantive matters:
  • Affirmative vote of 9 members including concurring votes of all permanent members.
• Veto power:
  • A negative vote by any P5 member blocks a substantive resolution.
• Parties to a dispute under Chapter VI must abstain from voting.

Procedure (Articles 28–32)

• UNSC is organised to function continuously.
• Members must be represented at all times at UN Headquarters.
• Meetings can be held outside UN HQ if required.
• UNSC may establish subsidiary organs.
• Adopts its own rules of procedure, including selection of President.
• Non-members may participate without voting rightswhen:
  • Their interests are specially affected, or
  • They are parties to a dispute under consideration.

India and the United Nations (Relevant Context)

• India is a founding member of the United Nations.
• Signed the Declaration by United Nations on 1 January 1942.
• Participated in the San Francisco Conference (1945) and signed the UN Charter.
• India has been a non-permanent member of the UNSC eight times, including the 2021–22 term.
• India was elected in June 2020 with 184 out of 193 votes at the UN General Assembly.
• India has consistently supported:
  • UN Charter principles
  • Multilateralism
  • Peaceful resolution of disputes
• India has played a key role in:
  • Anti-colonial movements
  • Opposition to apartheid
  • Advocacy for developing countries through NAM and G77

Contemporary Context of the UNSC

• One-third of non-permanent seats change annually.
• Permanent members retain veto power.
• Recent years have seen:
  • Increased veto usage
  • Growing deadlock due to geopolitical rivalries
• These trends have constrained the UNSC’s ability to respond decisively to international crises, reinforcing concerns raised by the Secretary-General in the Venezuela case.

UN SYSTEM – STRUCTURE & ORGANISATIONAL CHART

I. UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM – OVERVIEW

• The United Nations Systemconsists of:
  • The United Nations (principal organs)
  • Funds and Programmes
  • Specialized Agencies
• These entities:
  • Have separate leadership, budgets and mandates
  • Coordinate their work with the UN to achieve Charter objectives
• Funding pattern:
  • Funds & Programmes → Voluntary contributions
  • Specialized Agencies → Voluntary + Assessed contributions

II. UN FUNDS AND PROGRAMMES

1. UNDP – United Nations Development Programme

• Headquarters: New York City, USA
• Mandate:
  • Poverty eradication
  • Reducing inequalities
  • Building resilience
• Role: UN’s lead development agency
• Key Focus: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Presence: Nearly 170 countries and territories

2. UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme

• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Established: 1972
• Mandate:
  • Environmental protection
  • Sustainable development
• Role: Voice for the environment within the UN system
• Functions:
  • Catalyst
  • Advocate
  • Educator
  • Facilitator

3. UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund

• Headquarters: New York City, USA
• Mandate:
  • Reproductive health
  • Population issues
• Vision:
  • Every pregnancy is wanted
  • Every birth is safe
  • Every young person’s potential is fulfilled

4. UN-HABITAT – United Nations Human Settlements Programme

• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Mandate:
  • Sustainable urban development
  • Adequate shelter for all
• Focus: Socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements

5. UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund

• Headquarters: New York City, USA
• Coverage: 190 countries and territories
• Mandate:
  • Child survival
  • Child rights
  • Child development
• Target Group: Children from early childhood to adolescence

6. WFP – World Food Programme

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Mandate: Eradication of hunger and malnutrition
• Scale: World’s largest humanitarian agency
• Reach: ~100 million people in ~88 countries annually
• Recognition: Nobel Peace Prize, 2020

III. UN SPECIALIZED AGENCIES

Autonomous international organizations formally linked to the UN through agreements under Articles 57 & 63 of the UN Charter.

1. FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Mandate:
  • Fight hunger
  • Improve nutrition
• Role:
  • Technical knowledge provider
  • Forum for policy negotiations

2. ICAO – International Civil Aviation Organization

• Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
• Mandate:
  • Global aviation standards
• Members: 192 states
• Role: Safe and orderly development of international air transport

3. IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Established: 1977
• Mandate:
  • Rural poverty reduction
  • Agricultural development
• Target Group: Poor rural populations in developing countries

4. ILO – International Labour Organization

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate:
  • International labour standards
• Key Areas:
  • Freedom of association
  • Collective bargaining
  • Abolition of forced labour
  • Equality at workplace

5. IMF – International Monetary Fund

• Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA
• Mandate:
  • Global financial stability
  • Balance of payments support
• Functions:
  • Financial assistance
  • Technical assistance
• Current Outreach: Loans to 74 countries

6. IMO – International Maritime Organization

• Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
• Mandate:
  • Maritime safety
  • Marine environment protection
• Framework Covers:
  • Safety
  • Security
  • Environmental standards
  • Shipping efficiency

7. ITU – International Telecommunication Union

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate: Information and communication technologies (ICTs)
• Objective: Universal and affordable global connectivity
• Role: Protects the fundamental right to communicate

8. UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Mandate:
  • Education
  • Science
  • Culture
• Functions:
  • Teacher training
  • Educational development
  • Protection of cultural and natural heritage

9. UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization

• Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
• Mandate:
  • Industrial development
• Objectives:
  • Poverty reduction
  • Inclusive globalization
  • Environmental sustainability

10. UN Tourism (World Tourism Organization)

• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
• Mandate: Promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism
• Focus: Universally accessible tourism

11. UPU – Universal Postal Union

• Headquarters: Bern, Switzerland
• Mandate:
  • Global postal cooperation
• Role: Ensures a universal postal network

12. WHO – World Health Organization

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate: International public health
• Objective: Highest possible level of health for all peoples
• Health Definition: Complete physical, mental and social well-being

13. WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate: Protection of intellectual property
• Framework: 23 international treaties

14. WMO – World Meteorological Organization

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Mandate:
  • Meteorological cooperation
• Functions:
  • Weather data exchange
  • Support to aviation, shipping, agriculture, security

15. World Bank Group

• Headquarters: Washington, DC, USA
• Mandate: Poverty reduction and development financing
• Operational Reach: Over 100 countries

Institutions under World Bank Group:

• International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• International Development Association (IDA)
• International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)*
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)*

* MIGA and ICSID are not specialized agencies, but part of the World Bank Group.

IV. UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL

António Guterres

• Position: Secretary-General of the United Nations
• Role: Chief administrative officer of the UN
• Functions:
  • Brings threats to international peace to the attention of the UNSC
  • Upholds UN Charter principles
  • Acts as a global diplomatic mediator
• Relevance:Central voice on:
  • International law
  • Multilateralism
  • Peace and security crises
    
    

Updated – 04 January 2026; 08:19 AM | News Source:News on Air

Additional Sources

• United Nations Security Council – Official Portal
• India and the UN Security Council (1947–2013): Historical Overview
• Democratic Republic of Congo Returns to UN Security Council After 35 Years
• UN News: New Non-Permanent Members Join the Security Council for 2026–27