UN Secretary-General António Guterres US Critique 2026: Law of Power vs Power of Law
UN Secretary-General António Guterres warns that the US is prioritizing the 'law of power' over international law in a 2026 BBC interview. Read more on UN reform.
The world order is shaking. António Guterres, head of the United Nations, just delivered a stinging assessment of the United States' current foreign policy. Speaking to the BBC, he warned that some nations believe "the power of law should be replaced by the law of power."
UN Secretary-General António Guterres US Critique 2026: A World of Impunity
Guterres didn't hold back. He stated the US acts with a "clear conviction" that multilateral solutions are no longer relevant. Instead, Washington focuses on the raw exercise of power and influence, often sidelining the norms of international law. This critique arrives as Donald Trump continues to threaten the annexation of Greenland and following a US strike in Venezuela.
The UN chief expressed deep concern that the founding principles of the organization—especially the equality of member states—are under massive threat. President Trump has previously questioned the UN's purpose, claiming it didn't help in ending wars he managed to stop single-handedly.
The Security Council Deadlock and Reform
According to Guterres, the UN Security Council is increasingly "ineffective" and no longer represents the modern world. He criticized the veto power used by permanent members like Russia and the US to further individual interests rather than global peace, particularly in Ukraine and Gaza.
| Era | Approach | Key Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| 1945 | Institutional Multilateralism | Post-WWII Reconstruction |
| 2026 | Raw Power Dynamics | Impunity & Annexation Threats |
Guterres noted that while the UN is engaged in solving conflicts, it lacks leverage. In Gaza, the organization's inability to distribute aid was often due to Israel's blockage. He stressed that "1945 problem-solving" methods aren't enough to tackle 2026 problems.
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