Envoys from several countries accused the United States of violating international law at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Tuesday, urging the U.S. to stop its campaign against Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.
Samuel Moncada, Venezuela's permanent representative to the UN, condemned the U.S. for its latest actions against Venezuela, describing U.S. oil tanker seizures in the Caribbean as worse than piracy.
Moncada warned the U.S. is reviving the Monroe Doctrine, trying to place itself above other countries in Western hemisphere, and making divisions worldwide.
Since September, U.S. forces have launched air strikes against vessels in the Caribbean, claiming without providing any evidence that the vessels were trafficking drugs to the U.S. More than 100 people have been killed in the attacks.
Moncada accused the U.S. of violating both international and domestic law in its attempt to block Venezuela's normal trade with the rest of the world, weaken the country's economic and military capabilities, and undermine solidarity in the Venezuelan society, so as to acquire oil, mines, and land of Venezuela, and turn the country into its colony.
He alleged that U.S. military forces are conducting an electronic warfare campaign in the region to incite security incidents.
Venezuela will not abandon its commitment to defending peace and will exercise its legitimate rights in accordance with the UN Charter, Moncada noted, demanding the U.S. to immediately cease its military actions, lift the blockade, and refrain from doing so again.
The world must know that the threat is not Venezuela, the threat is the U.S., Moncada said.
Russia's permanent representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia described the U.S. illegal blockade of Venezuela's coast as an act of aggression.
The U.S. is illegally destroying civilian vessels in the Caribbean region, which violates all key norms of international law, Nebenzia said.
He accused the U.S. of trying to seize natural resources of Venezuela and overthrow its regime that is not to the liking of Washington.
Warning of catastrophic consequences of U.S. actions, Nebenzia called on the international community to uphold the spirit of international law.
Brazil's permanent representative to the UN Sergio Franca Danese underscored that the U.S. actions in the Caribbean violate the UN Charter, which should cease immediately.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has publicly called for cooperation among parties involved and stated that Brazil is willing to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Warning U.S. actions could escalate tensions in the region and lead to serious consequences, Danese said his country firmly upholds the UN Charter and multilateralism and calls for a peaceful settlement of disputes.
Latin American and Caribbean countries will also steadfastly choose peace, he said.
Envoys condemn US blockade against Venezuela at UN meeting
