The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) convened a special roundtable yesterday to dissect matters arising from United States (U.S.) interventions in Venezuela and the panelists warned that the U.S. exertion of force and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro as well as his First Lady, was a clear violation of the UN Charter and set a very dangerous precedence and raises serious questions for the international order.
The event, held at the NIIA Conference Chamber, brought together policymakers, academics, and international relations experts to examine the legal, economic, and geopolitical dimensions of the crisis. It was moderated by former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and NIIA Director General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, led the dialogue.
Others are former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amb. Joe Keshi and Dr. Rita Agu of NIIA, Femi Ojumu, an International Policy Expert, Kayode Komolafe, a foreign policy expert and Magnus Onyibe, a public policy analyst. It also featured panellists including Professors Adele Jinadu, Femi Otubanjo, Remi Ajibewa as well as Magnus Onyibe.
Opening the session, Prof. Akinyemi , who is also the NIIA Chairman, emphasised the importance of analysing the crisis beyond individual leaders, stressing that when powerful states act with impunity, global norms of sovereignty, immunity, and non-intervention are weakened, creating a precarious precedent for other nations.
He underscored the necessity for states to develop self-reliance and robust governance systems to protect their sovereignty and citizens.
He urged participants to distinguish between individual actions and structural forces in global politics, stressing that crisis like Venezuela’s emerged from deeper international dynamics rather than the whims of a single actor.
The panellists decried what they described as Trump’s endorsement of the philosophy of might is right, warning that such actions could set a dangerous precedent with other powerful countries, including China, North Korea and Russia following suit.
They emphasised the importance of respecting international law and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in domestic affairs of sovereign nation-states.
They, however, agreed that the development was a lesson for other countries, especially African countries to properly manage their affairs, prioritise citizens’ welfare and good governance to maintain their sovereignty.
Eghosa: we’re all endangered
Prof. Osaghae, who led the dialogue, questioned whether the U.S. actions in Venezuela signified a new form of imperialism, emphasising that the global south, including Africa, was endangered by such actions.
Osaghae dismissed the notion that geography and distance would prevent similar actions from happening in Africa, suggesting that imperialism could be both near and distant.
Calling for respect for international law and sovereignty, he said: “What is happening is sending shockwaves around the world and people are asking us some questions on what is going on? Is it a new form of imperialism?
“From the point of view of the African Union, those of us in Africa and the rest of the global South, there are lapses. We are also being endangered because anything can happen to any of us.”
Trump jeopardising world order, says Keshi
To Amb. Keshi, the U.S. is known for double standards in international relations, pointing out that it now violates the laws it helped to write and had a history of interventionism.
He argued that the U.S. has grown too powerful and emboldened, with other countries dependent on it, noting that this has led to a lack of accountability.
Keshi emphasized the importance of countries developing their own capacity and capability to defend themselves, rather than relying on others.
“The truth remains that as of today, nobody can stop the United States, except all countries of the world decide that they are going to quietly build up their capacity and capability so that collectively, they can deter the operations of the United States.
Jinadu: it’s arrogance of power
Positing that Trump’s action was an arrogance of power, Prof. Jinadu emphasized the pressing need for the Third World countries to enhance their solidarity and create a third neutral force in the world order to counterbalance the existing power dynamics.
He advocated for strengthening the BRICS and reviving the idea of a Concert of Medium Powers to promote a more equitable global order.
Prof. Jinadu also called for democratizing the UN Security Council by limiting the use of veto power, which he said stifles the aspirations and demands of the Third World.
It’s collapse of rationality, says Otubanjo
Also speaking, Prof. Otubanjo criticised the U.S. foreign policy under Trump, arguing that it has become irrational and driven by domestic politics.
He emphasized the importance of oil in the conflict, with the US seeking to regain control of Venezuela’s oil reserves
Otubanjo noted that the U.S. actions in Venezuela have global implications, including the potential to undermine the petrodollar and challenge the global economic order.
Ojumu: it raises dangerous precedent for int’l law
In his submission, Ojumu criticised the U.S. for violating international law and disregarding the sovereignty of other nations, citing examples such as the invasion of Iraq in 2003, drone strikes in Yemen and Somalia, and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
He, therefore, proposed strategic options for the United Nations and the global community, including reforming and democratising the UN Security Council, re-emphasising effective and transparent leadership, and rejecting hegemonic approaches to foreign policy.
U.S. driven by desire to control resources, says Komolafe
Komolafe criticised the logic of capitalism and imperialism, arguing that the US was driven by a desire to acquire wealth and control resources, without regard for the consequences or morality.
He warned that the US actions in Venezuela have implications for global stability and the world order, stressing that other countries may follow suit in pursuing their own interests without regard for international law.
Agu: it is unlawful
Speaking on the legal implications of the U.S. action, Dr. Rita Agu said: “US invasion of Venezuela or arrest of its sitting president and first lady by the United States is unlawful. The only sustainable solution lies in strict adherence to the UN Charter, respect for immunity and sovereignty, multilateralism and peaceful dispute settlement. This approach safeguards not only Venezuela but the integrity of the international legal order itself.”
The participants agreed that the Venezuelan situation reflects a convergence of legal, political, and economic pressures that test the resilience of international norms.
The panel advocated for adherence to the UN Charter, respect for head-of-state immunity, non-intervention, multilateral dispute resolution, and stronger regional cooperation as pathways to prevent unilateral abuse of power.
