UN chief urges respect for states, political independence in Venezuela meeting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for respect for the political independence of states after the United States seized Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and said it was in charge of the country.

Guterres urges "respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states," according to remarks read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo during a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela.

"I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification (of) instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," the UN chief's remarks said.

Venezuela called for the meeting and Colombia relayed the request to the Security Council, of which it has been a member since January 1.

After months of threats and pressure tactics, US forces on Saturday bombed Venezuela and toppled Maduro in a massive operation that brought an end to 12 years of increasingly authoritarian rule by the left-wing leader, who had a $50 million US bounty on his head.

Maduro, in US custody, arrived at a New York court on Monday to face narcotrafficking charges, along with his wife Cilia Flores.