Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has issued a powerful condemnation of former United States President Donald Trump, accusing him of a grave breach of international law through military action in Venezuela. Falana is calling on the U.S. Congress to impose sanctions on Trump for what he labels an "illegal invasion" of the sovereign South American nation.
A Call for Sanctions and Accountability
In a strongly-worded statement released on Saturday, Falana detailed the alleged actions that constitute the violation. He referenced reports confirming that U.S. forces bombed Caracas, overthrew the government of President Nicolás Maduro, and took control of Venezuela's critical oil resources. The lawyer asserted that numerous unarmed civilians lost their lives during these operations.
Falana did not mince words, describing the reported abduction and extraordinary rendition of a sitting president as a "blatant violation of international law" and the United Nations Charter. He highlighted the hypocrisy of the global community, stating, "The hypocrisy and double standard of the so-called international community are so glaring." He warned that the establishment of a transitional regime aimed at exploiting Venezuela's vast oil and gas reserves is a step towards turning the country into a U.S. colony.
Pattern of "Reckless Gangsterism"
Falana contextualized the Venezuelan intervention within a broader pattern of unilateral actions by Trump during his second term, which he termed "reckless gangsterism." He pointed to previous instances where military force was used without congressional approval.
"A few months ago, he bombed Iran without congressional approval," Falana stated. He also specifically recalled Trump's announcement on December 25, 2025, of "powerful and deadly" airstrikes against Islamic State-linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, another action executed without the consent of the U.S. legislative body.
Appeals to Judiciary and United Nations
Beyond congressional action, Falana made direct appeals to other institutions for intervention. He urged the U.S. judiciary to reject any attempts by Trump to use domestic courts to undermine Venezuela's sovereignty, calling such moves "dubious."
His most significant call was directed at the United Nations. Falana emphasized that global silence in the face of such actions undermines international justice. "The UN must stand with the people of Venezuela and demand justice and accountability for the fundamental breach of the United Nations Charter," he argued, stressing that this is essential for the global body to maintain its credibility and uphold the spirit of its founding document.
Falana's intervention adds a powerful legal voice from Africa to the escalating international debate. It comes amid reports that the former U.S. president has detained Maduro and his wife, charging them with terrorism and narcotics offences in a U.S. District Court. The statement underscores the urgent questions surrounding the legality of unilateral military interventions and the role of international law in restraining powerful nations.
