UN Daily Press Briefing: Venezuela Crisis, Peacekeeping Operations, and Global Conflicts

Venezuela: Instability and Humanitarian Crisis

• ⚠️ The UN Secretary-General expressed deep concern over intensified instability in Venezuela and the potential impact on the region following a US military operation on January 3rd.
• ⚖️ It was highlighted that rules of international law, including the UN Charter's prohibition on the threat or use of force, were not respected during the intervention.
• 🤝 All Venezuelan actors are urged to engage in inclusive, democratic dialogue, and the international community is called upon to act in solidarity and adhere to principles of peaceful coexistence.
• 😥 The humanitarian situation in Venezuela remains dire, with 7.9 million people needing urgent support, representing over a quarter of the population.
• 💰 The Humanitarian Response Plan for Venezuela is critically underfunded, receiving only 17% of the needed $600 million last year.

UN Peacekeeping and Global Operations

• ✈️ Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, is visiting Beirut, Lebanon, to discuss the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 with UNIFIL leadership and Lebanese authorities.
• 🌍 His mission includes visits to the Golan, Damascus, Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia to express solidarity with peacekeepers facing financial and operational challenges.
• 🇵🇸 In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, aid workers continue to respond to needs in Gaza, delivering over 10,000 metric tons of aid weekly, including food, hygiene items, and winter clothing.
• 🌾 For the first time since October 2023, aid partners have sufficient stock to meet 100% of minimum caloric needs for general food assistance in Gaza.
• 🍞 Support is also provided for the production of 170,000 bread bundles daily, and hot meal kitchens serve 1.5 million meals per day.

Conflicts and Humanitarian Concerns

• 🇸🇩 Deep concern is expressed over escalating violence and civilian suffering in Sudan, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan regions, with reports of drone strikes on civilian areas and displacement of over 600 people.
• 🇺🇦 In Ukraine, attacks over the weekend caused dozens of civilian casualties, including children, and left many without electricity amid freezing temperatures, damaging residential buildings and healthcare facilities.
• 🇮🇷 The UN Secretary-General is following protests in Iran with concern, urging authorities to uphold freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and calling on all actors to refrain from actions that could heighten tensions.

UN Relevance and International Law

• ❓ Questions were raised about the UN's relevance and its ability to shape global events and uphold security, especially when permanent Security Council members take actions that raise concerns about international law violations.
• 📜 The UN's identity is rooted in the Charter, international law, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with a call for member states to uphold these principles.
• ⚖️ The Secretary-General's consistent message emphasizes the need for member states to respect the Charter and international law, advocating for the power of law over the power of might.
• 🗣️ The UN does not recognize governments but acknowledges the credentials of member state delegations. The Secretary-General has not spoken with Nicolás Maduro but remains concerned about unilateral actions and the potential destabilization of regions.