Indonesian Finance Minister Questions International Law Amidst US-Venezuela Conflict

Concerns Over Global Governance

Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has expressed significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of current international law and global governance structures. The minister's remarks come in response to the recent escalation of conflict between the United States and Venezuela, where the US reportedly launched an attack and took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro into custody.

Key Statements from the Minister

During a statement at the Presidential Palace Complex in Central Jakarta on Monday (5/1/2026), Purbaya remarked, "The world's legal framework is somewhat strange now; a country can attack another sovereign nation and seemingly evade UN supervision. The UN appears weak in its role as a conflict mediator." This statement underscores the minister's apprehensions about the existing global order and the mechanisms in place to prevent such conflicts.

Implications for Global Governance

The situation highlights significant challenges to international law and the role of global institutions like the United Nations. Purbaya's comments bring attention to the need for more robust mechanisms to prevent conflicts between nations and ensure adherence to international law. The incident involving the US and Venezuela serves as a critical case study for evaluating the effectiveness of current global governance structures.