UN calls for restraint as US strikes in southern Caribbean escalate tensions with Venezuela

Briefing of ambassadors in the Security CouncilUN Under-Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said American operations, carried out between September 2 and October 3, exacerbated tensions in the region and sparked strong criticism from Caracas.

“Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on alert since U.S. military deployments were first reported in August,” he said, noting that President Nicolas Maduro has mobilized 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian militia to support the armed forces.

Mr. Jenča said that, according to American authorities, the strikes targeted ships in international waters carrying illegal drugs bound for the United States. Eleven people were reported killed in the first attack on September 2, with subsequent operations bringing the total number of casualties to 21.

The exact locations of the incidents have not been made public and the UN is unable to independently verify this information.

Exchange of allegations

Mr. Jenča said Washington defended its actions as consistent with laws governing armed conflict and necessary to protect American citizens from the flow of illicit drugs from South and Central America.

“A White House spokesperson said ‘the President acted in accordance with the laws of armed conflict,’ seeking to protect the United States ‘from those who attempt to bring deadly poison’ to its shores,” he told the Security Council.

Venezuelan officials, however, consider these strikes a provocation and a violation of sovereignty.

Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the UN wrote to the Security Council on October 9, stating that the “further goal” of US actions continues to be to “advance its regime change policies.”

Caracas also reported U.S. warplane overflights near its coast and the grounding of a fishing boat in Venezuelan waters, while Washington said two Venezuelan military planes flew over a U.S. Navy ship in international waters.

Repeated calls for restraint

The UN has repeatedly called on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through peaceful means.

Jenča stressed that efforts to combat drug trafficking “must be carried out in accordance with international law, including United Nations Charter» and that any use of force to combat illicit trafficking must respect human rights standards.

“The United Nations recognizes the devastating impact of violence caused by transnational organized crime, which affects countries of production, transit and destination,” said Mr. Jenča.

“We continue to emphasize the need for all efforts to combat transnational organized crime to be carried out in accordance with international law.»

He said the UN would continue to support diplomatic dialogue and measures to prevent further escalation, calling on Washington and Caracas to prioritize de-escalation and constructive engagement.