3 ways US actions in Venezuela violated international law

A scholar of international law breaks down what exactly about US military action against Venezuela and the capture of its head of state is unlawful.

By: Mary Ellen O'Connell, University of Notre Dame, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 13, 2026

Words: 1,147

Last Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago

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By Mary Ellen O'Connell, University of Notre Dame

Heads of state, policymakers and international law scholars are among those who have labeled U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the Jan. 3, 2026, capture of its leader as unlawful. But what exactly does that mean?

The Conversation asked Mary Ellen O’Connell, a professor of international law at the University of Notre Dame, to explain what about recent actions by the U.S. violate …

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