BRUSSELS - Tensions remain high after US armed forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Cuba says 32 of its nationals were killed during the raid.
The country says the victims were members of its armed forces and intelligence services assigned to protect Maduro.
Questions are being raised about the legality of the operation under international law.
UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry Chairperson Judge Navi Pillay described the issue, "the main concern of those who intervened in the Venezuela situation is [that] Maduro's own human rights record: the fact that he is detaining dissidents and so on - my old office, the Human Rights office has documented that - but the answer to that is not that one country with the most gun-power and advanced equipment is authorised to go and intervene."
"No single country can attack another country: that is international law and that's been observed for almost a hundred years by all the states and that is in the UN Charter."
"We want the security council to be focusing on international matters: peace and security which is their agenda instead of following their political interests," she said.
Judge Pillay said the UN security council discussions are very important to come up with some solution to the violation of international law.
Gustavo De Carvalho from the South African Institute of International Affairs said the action was illegal under international law and said the consequences would remain to be seen.
Venezuela's representative at the United Nations condemned the attack by the USA.
Samuel Moncada criticised Washington for a "violation of international law".
South Africa's acting ambassador to the United Nations delivered a statement at an emergency session of the UN Security Council saying, "The unilateral military strikes carried out by the United States of America against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse from Venezuelan territory for transfer to the United States wantonly violates the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Venezuela."
Venezuela: @antonioguterres tells Security Council he remains deeply concerned international law has not been respected with regard to 3 January US military action.
Int'l peace & security depend on the commitment of all member countries to the Charter.https://t.co/f26l0JmJdt pic.twitter.com/wB7uopsldS— United Nations (@UN) January 5, 2026