A supporter of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro waves a Venezuelan national flag during a rally near the National Assembly in Caracas. AFP
Guterres urges "respect for the principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of states," according to remarks read on his behalf by Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo during a UN Security Council meeting on Venezuela.
"I am deeply concerned about the possible intensification (of) instability in the country, the potential impact on the region, and the precedent it may set for how relations between and among states are conducted," the UN chief's remarks said.
Venezuela called for the meeting and Colombia relayed the request to the Security Council, of which it has been a member since January 1.
After months of threats and pressure tactics, US forces on Saturday bombed Venezuela and toppled Maduro in a massive assault that brought an end to 12 years of rule by the left-wing leader, who had a $50 million US bounty on his head.
Maduro, in US custody, arrived at a New York court on Monday to face narcotrafficking charges, along with his wife Cilia Flores.
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