On Monday, during the opening session of the Human Rights Council, the Venezuelan government formally demanded that the United Nations intervene for the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. Captured by US military forces in Caracas on January 3, Maduro's arrest was characterized by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, Yvan Gil Pinto, as arbitrary and occurring during his official duties. The minister's speech highlighted that Maduro's capture resulted in significant violence, claiming the lives of many individuals.

In his address, Gil Pinto also called for the lifting of all sanctions imposed on Venezuela by the United States and emphasized the necessity for all nations to respect each other's sovereignty. He condemned the actions taken against Maduro as part of a broader pattern of aggression towards Venezuela, positioning the government's demands as not merely requests but as essential aspects of sovereignty and international law.

Despite the tensions, Gil Pinto noted that the Venezuelan authorities have opened a diplomatic channel with the United States intended to resolve differences between the two nations. He stressed that this diplomatic effort would be based on mutual respect and not on a subordinate relationship. This response from Venezuela underscores the ongoing complexities in U.S.-Venezuelan relations and the critical importance of international diplomacy in dealing with such high-stakes political scenarios.