Mumtaz Hussain
UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has expressed deep concern over escalating tensions in Venezuela, calling for restraint, dialogue, and strict adherence to international law during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday.
Addressing the Council, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, warned that instability in the Caribbean region could have serious implications for regional and international peace and security at a time when the world is already facing multiple crises.
Congratulating Somalia on assuming the Security Council presidency for January, Ambassador Jadoon reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the Council’s work and welcomed new members.
He also thanked Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo for conveying the Secretary-General’s remarks and acknowledged briefings by economist Jeffrey Sachs and Venezuelan human rights advocate Mercedes de Freitas.
Pakistan underscored the importance of the UN Charter’s principles, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Ambassador Jadoon cautioned that unilateral military actions violate these principles and risk setting dangerous precedents that could undermine the global legal framework and fuel long-term instability.
“At this critical juncture, the path forward must be one of dialogue and diplomacy,” he said, emphasizing that lasting solutions must reflect the will of the Venezuelan people and remain free from external interference.
Pakistan also reiterated support for Latin America and the Caribbean as a “Zone of Peace,” expressing hope that the region would remain free from conflict and continue progressing toward greater cooperation and prosperity.
Calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, Pakistan urged de-escalation of tensions, peaceful coexistence, and engagement through dialogue, including the use of mediation and the good offices of the UN Secretary-General.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Jadoon reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to contributing constructively to the Security Council’s mandate, stressing that peace, stability, and the welfare of the Venezuelan people must remain the overriding objective of all international efforts.
