Russia and China adopted a tough tone towards the United States during an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, held this Tuesday (23/12), to discuss escalating tensions involving Venezuela. Both powers accused Washington of violating international law, imposing an illegal naval blockade and interfering in the South American country’s internal affairs.
Representing China, alternative ambassador Geng Shuang said Beijing was “firmly opposed to all acts of unilateralism and intimidation” carried out by the United States. According to him, Venezuelan sovereignty must be respected. “All countries must defend their sovereign dignity. We are against any measures that violate the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations,” he said.
Shuang also highlighted the importance of a recent letter sent by Nicolas Maduro and said that as a sovereign state, Venezuela has the right to develop international cooperation independently.
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- The debate at the Security Council was requested by Venezuela after the announcement of a naval blockade ordered by Donald Trump and threats of use of military force.
- At the start of the session, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Khaled Khiari warned of increased U.S. military operations on the Venezuelan coast, which represent the largest U.S. deployment in the Caribbean in decades.
- Washington says these operations are linked to the fight against drug trafficking, accusations that the Venezuelan government denies. Caracas maintains the offensive aims to push for regime change and secure access to the world’s largest proven oil reserves.
- In recent days, the United States has intercepted at least three oil tankers linked to Venezuela, as part of the strategy of imposing a “total blockade” on ships subject to sanctions.
- Trump said he would keep under his control the 1.9 million barrels of oil seized from a tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
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Russia has been even more incisive. Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya condemned the seizure of oil tankers by US forces and called the blockade imposed on the Venezuelan coast a “clear act of aggression”.
“The actions carried out by the United States contravene all fundamental norms of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” he said.
Nebenzya accused Washington of being responsible for the “catastrophic consequences” for the Venezuelan people and called the US position “cowboy” behavior.
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