In early 2026, the US launched a military operation against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to New York to face charges, including those of narco-terrorism. This attack sparked controversy worldwide, with many countries and international organizations condemning it as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and international law. Latin American neighbours such as Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, as well as Venezuelan allies like Cuba, Russia, and China, denounced it as an act of hegemonic aggression. Leaders of some European countries emphasized the need to respect the UN Charter and international norms, and stressed the importance of peaceful solutions over military intervention.
The United Nations expressed grave concern over the US attack on Venezuela and convened an emergency meeting of the Security Council, where several member states criticized the use of force. However, some governments, including that of Javier Milei of Argentina, welcomed Maduro’s downfall. From its inception, the US has frequently intervened in the sovereignty of other nations for various controversial and complex reasons. During the Cold War, preventing the spread of communism and international conflicts led to regime change operations. Following the September 11 attacks, the “war on terror,” in the name of its national security interests and those of its allies, involved numerous interventions aimed at protecting economic stability and investments, free trade, and maintaining the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency, as well as securing access to natural resources, particularly oil. These actions are often criticized for violating international law and the sovereignty of nations.
Some US Interventions in History
For strategic, political, economic, and security reasons, the United States has used military force against numerous countries. In the Mexican-American War (1846–1848), the US invaded Mexico primarily for territorial expansion. Later, it intervened to defeat Spanish colonial rule and fought against Cuba and the Philippines (1898–1902). The US intervened in Korea between 1950–1953 to stop the spread of communism. In Vietnam (1965–1973), the US aimed to contain communism, withdrawing in 1975 although the war ended in 1973. It conducted military operations in Cambodia and Laos (late 1960s–1973) to disrupt communist supply lines.
With the invasion of Grenada (1983), it attempted to overthrow a Marxist government. In Panama (1989–1990), the US intervened to oust Manuel Noriega and protect the Panama Canal. Following the Gulf War against Iraq (1991), and amidst civil war, the US-led NATO intervention in Somalia (1992–1994) for humanitarian reasons, in Bosnia (1995) and Kosovo/Serbia (1999), and after the 9/11 attacks, the invasion of Afghanistan to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban (2001–2021), the Iraq War (2003–2011) on allegations of regime change, and military intervention in Libya (2011), US military involvement in countering the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Syria has continued since 2014.
For military and intelligence support in these operations, the US typically relies on its allies, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Canada, as well as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Israel. However, countries like Pakistan have also served as crucial partners in counter-terrorism efforts. Critics argue that while interventions are justified to promote democracy, security, or human rights, US military interventions often have self-serving interests, particularly in regions rich in oil, gas, minerals, or strategic trade routes. Interventions in the Middle East, particularly in Libya, are often cited as examples where the strategic importance of energy resources is closely tied to American economic and corporate interests. This perception has fuelled global scepticism that “security threats” sometimes serve the purpose of resource control and geopolitical dominance.
The US economy is dependent on countries around the world
The United States relies on numerous countries to sustain and strengthen its economy through human resources, technological expertise, trade, investment, and strategic foreign relations. Indian professionals play a crucial role in software, healthcare, engineering, and research and innovation. China has long been central to the US economic performance through manufacturing, supply chains, and rare earth materials. Mexico supports the US economy through agriculture, labor, and cross-border supply chains. Canada is vital for energy security (oil, gas, and electricity), minerals, and trade. Germany and the European Union provide advanced technology, machinery, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and financial investments.
Japan and South Korea are crucial for semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, robotics, and industrial technology. Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar support US economic stability through oil, gas, and control of energy markets. Israel contributes significantly to defence technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and innovation ecosystems. African and Latin American countries supply critical minerals, raw materials, agricultural products, and emerging markets. Overall, the American economy is deeply interdependent with the global system.
Despite being economically and technologically strong, the US faces numerous social ills and structural problems that challenge peace, social harmony, and stability. Gun violence is one of the most serious problems, and racial discrimination and systemic racism, particularly against African Americans and immigrants, continue to fuel social unrest and protests. Economic inequality, homelessness, food insecurity, drug abuse, the opioid crisis, and political hate speech have severely divided American society. Yet, its objective is economic imperialism, interfering in the sovereignty of other countries.
The need for a strong role for the United Nations
The United Nations, and its Security Council, must control US attacks and interventions by strictly enforcing the UN Charter, which permits the use of force only in self-defence or with the Security Council’s authorization. Any US military action must be subjected to mandatory debate, transparency, and voting in the Security Council before intervention. The UN should strengthen independent fact-finding missions to verify threats and prevent exaggerated security claims. In particular, it should promote control over the veto power of permanent members. When the Security Council is deadlocked, the General Assembly should adopt the “Uniting for Peace” resolution.
International law and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) should be used to exert legal pressure to investigate violations. UN-authorized economic and diplomatic sanctions serve as deterrents against unilateral action. The United Nations should empower regional organizations to resolve conflicts before they escalate. Greater media transparency and global civil society pressure can expose unjust interventions. A stronger, more democratic UN system is needed to balance power and safeguard world peace. Otherwise, the United Nations will fail like the League of Nations. Powerful countries opposed to the US and other regional trade blocs should also strive to contain US intervention on all fronts.
