At UN Security Council, Liberia Leads African Call for Restraint as Venezuela Turmoil Deepens

U.S.A: Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Lewis Brown, on Tuesday delivered a firm and carefully calibrated statement at the United Nations Security Council, rallying Africa’s collective voice behind calls for restraint, constitutional order, and dialogue as Venezuela slides deeper into political turmoil.

Speaking on behalf of the A3 group comprising the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Liberia Ambassador Brown warned that recent developments in Venezuela have crossed the threshold of a purely domestic dispute and now pose a credible risk to regional peace and security. His remarks positioned Africa as a principled and engaged actor in one of the Western Hemisphere’s most volatile crises.

Aligning the A3 with the African Union’s latest communiqué, Ambassador Brown said the group is “deeply concerned” by reports surrounding the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as incidents affecting key state institutions. He cautioned that such actions could further destabilize Venezuela’s internal political environment while triggering wider regional repercussions.

Reaffirming Africa’s long-standing diplomatic doctrine, Ambassador Brown stressed that respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and strict adherence to the United Nations Charter must remain the foundation for resolving the crisis. He made clear that the erosion of constitutional norms or the breakdown of state institutions risks undermining not only national stability but regional order.

In a pointed message to Venezuelan stakeholders and the international community, the Liberian envoy rejected the use of force and external imposition as pathways to peace. Instead, he called for restraint, the restoration of constitutional processes, and a nationally owned political dialogue that reflects the will and rights of the Venezuelan people supported, not dictated, by external actors.

Ambassador Brown concluded by affirming that the A3 stands ready to work within the Security Council and alongside regional partners to help de-escalate tensions and support a peaceful, inclusive, and durable solution. His statement underscored Africa’s intent to play an active, credible, and principled role in shaping outcomes beyond its own continent, grounded in diplomacy rather than coercion.