UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave alarm over the escalating conflict in Venezuela following the capture of President Nicolas Maduro.

“The secretary general is deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela, culminating with [Saturday]’s United States military action in the country, which has potential worrying implications for the region,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary general in a statement.

“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” he warned. “The secretary general continues to emphasise the importance of full respect — by all — of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter.

“He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected,” added Dujarric, stating that Guterres, “calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law”.

With Saturday’s US military airstrikes in Venezuela and the reported capture of Maduro, Venezuela has requested an urgent United Nations’ Security Council meeting.

“No cowardly attack will prevail against the strength of this people, who will emerge victorious,” said Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto in a letter to the council.

Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro has also called for emergency meetings of the UN and the Organization of American States (OAS).

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez said his Government is demanding, “immediate proof of life from the Government of President Donald Trump regarding the lives of President Maduro and the First Lady”, Cilia Flores.

While announcing a state of emergency, the Venezuelan Government has also urged nationals to take to the streets in protesting the US military strikes.

Meanwhile, some major US airlines have cancelled flights to parts of the region after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted them from flying to some Caribbean islands and territories.

American Airlines said in a statement that it is, “aware of the airspace closures in the eastern Caribbean that were issued in the middle of the night, and is closely monitoring the situation with the FAA”.

JetBlue also said that it has cancelled over 200 flights,“due to airspace closures across the Caribbean related to military activity”.

JetBlue, however, said flights to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica have not been impacted by the FAA prohibition.