The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency session today (Monday) to discuss the U.S. attack on Venezuela and the subsequent kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The discussions will be held under the "Threats to international peace and security" agenda item, as requested by Venezuela's neighbour, Colombia, with support from Russia, China, and others.

Venezuela has accused the United States of carrying out a series of "brutal, unjustified, and unilateral armed attacks" against civilian and military sites, adding that these acts constitute a clear violation of the UN Charter.

Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.

In its letter to the UN Security Council, Venezuela said that, while it reserves the right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Council must hold the U.S. accountable for its aggression.