The Ghanaian government has condemned the invasion of Venezuela by the United States.
A series of explosions jolted Caracas, Venezuelan capital, in the early hours of Saturday, plunging parts of the city into darkness after power was knocked out.
Hours later, US President Donald Trump announced that his country had invaded the South American country and successfully captured Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan leader, and his wife.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Ghanaian government described the US action as “unilateral and unauthorised invasion”, noting that it violates the United Nations Charter, international law, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Ghana warned that such conduct undermines the political independence of countries and threatens the stability of the international system.
“The Ghanaian Government is keenly following the situation in Venezuela with great concern, and notes that such assaults on international law, attempts at the occupation of foreign territories and apparent external control of oil resources have extremely adverse implications on international stability and the global order,” the statement reads.
The West African country also expressed concern over Trump’s remarks that the US would “run” Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious transition is achieved”.
Ghana said such statements evoked memories of the colonial and imperialist era, adding that they set a dangerous precedent for the post-Second World War global order.
“To allow this is to put the international community at great risk and undermine the sovereignty of every country. Ghana, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to the principle of self-determination and holds the firm view that only the Venezuelan people should freely determine their political and democratic future,” the Ghanaian government said.
The government called for the immediate de-escalation of tensions and demanded the release of Maduro and his wife.
Ghana reiterated its long-standing opposition to invasion, occupation, colonialism, apartheid and all forms of violation of international law, saying it would continue to defend these principles in its foreign policy engagements.
