JAKARTA - The attitude of the Indonesian Government to call on all parties to refrain and prioritize dialogue regarding the situation in Venezuela, is considered by international law experts to be appropriate and in accordance with the UN Charter.
The United States carried out a military operation in Venezuela last Saturday, followed by the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores who were then taken to New York to face four criminal charges: drug terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and possession of machine guns and explosive devices, in the local federal court.
The Indonesian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia calls "on all parties to prioritize dialogue and restraint, and to comply with international law, including the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law, in particular the protection of civilians, whose safety and condition must remain the top priority," regarding the situation in Venezuela.
Professor of International Law at the University of Indonesia, Professor Hikmahanto Juwana, said Indonesia's attitude of not condemning or condemning, and on the other hand not justifying, was right.
"Indonesia's position is in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the UN Charter, that if there is a dispute between countries, resolve it peacefully, so as not to endanger international peace and security," Hikmahanto explained to VOI.id, Tuesday (6/1).
The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Indonesia was concerned about any actions involving the use or threat of force, which risked creating a dangerous precedent in international relations, could disrupt regional stability and peace, and undermine the principles of sovereignty and diplomacy.
"Don't let this (US actions in Venezuela) become a precedent for the future, and this may happen in the near future," said Hikmahanto.
"Cuba will be in Venezuela, Mexico, then also Colombia. We say don't make it a precedent," said Hikmahanto.
US President Donald Trump previously threatened to carry out another attack if Venezuela did not cooperate in opening its oil industry and stopping the flow of drugs, threatening Colombia and Mexico, and said the communist government of Cuba "seems ready to collapse", as reported by Al Arabiya from AFP.
According to Hikmahanto, the US can enforce the law, but do not force it illegally according to international law.
"Bringing the head of state, a head of government to the United States to be tried in a US court. It can't be like that," said Hikmahanto.
"The usual mechanism is that the US asks for Venezuelan assistance. The Venezuelan authorities will later determine whether or not they should be extradited to the US, and there must be cooperation," he explained, adding "But, the US will say where the authorities in Venezuela will bring (President) Maduro to the US."
He also said the US should reflect on the arrest warrant issued against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Palestine.
"Is it necessary for Israel to be attacked and then (Netanyahu) be taken away like the US (against Maduro), by China or Russia for example? Make sure he is angry, he will say it violates international law," said Hikmahanto.
"But it seems that if he does it, it's okay. So, it shouldn't be like that, law enforcement like that," he said.
He added that with the position taken by Indonesia, President Prabowo Subianto was considered "able to be a mediator of peace, to visit the United States, Venezuela and other countries, the essence of which is to ask the countries in conflict, please, don't continue, because this can endanger the world."
"Because if this continues, it is not impossible, China will help Venezuela, Russia will help Colombia and so on, and this will bring us closer to World War III," he continued.
Russia is known to condemn the US attack on Venezuela, quoted from AFP and CNN. Meanwhile, China asked the US to immediately release President Maduro and his wife, condemning the US attack, as quoted by CNN.
"It's dangerous, if a war like this happens, there will be a slowdown in the world economy and it will have an impact on countries. We as developing countries, will be affected the earliest. Therefore, the interest of the President of Indonesia is how to make the conflict not get bigger, and according to the mandate of the Constitution, we must participate in world order," he concluded.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
