South Africa calls for urgent UN meeting following US strikes on Venezuela

South Africa on Saturday called on the UN Security Council to urgently convene and address the US military strike on Venezuela, and the capture of President Nicholas Maduro and his wife.

''Unlawful, unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order and the principle of equality among nations,'' South Africa's Foreign Ministry said in a statement Saturday.

Pretoria further said it notes with grave concern the recent developments in Venezuela and views US actions as a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations, which mandates all member states to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

It added that the charter does not authorize external military intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign nation.

''History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis,'' the statement said.

US President Donald Trump earlier said Washington carried out a "large-scale strike" against Venezuela and that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured and flown out of the country.

Trump said the operation was conducted "in conjunction with US law enforcement."

He later told Fox News that Washington could play a direct role in shaping Venezuela's future following Maduro's removal.

The US, which has accused Maduro of involvement in drug trafficking, also indicted him and his wife on multiple criminal charges, including narco-terrorism. Venezuela's government has denied the accusations.

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Caracas was unaware of Maduro's whereabouts and demanded proof that he was alive.