The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has voiced grave concern over the unfolding situation in Venezuela following the U.S. military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

In its statement, the bloc emphasized the need to respect sovereignty and called for inclusive dialogue among Venezuelans, echoing the African Union’s earlier appeal for restraint.

ECOWAS urged all parties to uphold the principles of territorial integrity enshrined in Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, even while pursuing international crimes.

The organization reaffirmed its solidarity with the Venezuelan people and expressed support for a peaceful and inclusive process through which they can determine their future. As of January 2026, ECOWAS counts twelve active member states after the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who formed the Alliance of Sahel States, while Guinea and Guinea-Bissau remain suspended due to coups.

Despite these internal challenges, ECOWAS continues to maintain strong ties with Western partners, particularly the United States, the European Union, and France. These relationships are anchored in trade frameworks such as the U.S.-ECOWAS Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, as well as security cooperation and development aid.

However, recent coups have strained relations, with Western sanctions on military juntas contrasting with ECOWAS’ mediation efforts.

The bloc has sought to balance its principle of non-interference with its commitment to democratic governance, often aligning with the African Union’s positions on sovereignty.