US military action in Venezuela violates UN Charter and must stop, Brazil says

Brazil’s Ambassador to the UN, Sérgio Danese, said on Tuesday (23/12) that the United States’ military action near Venezuela and the recently announced naval blockade constitute a violation of the United Nations Charter.

The statement was made during a meeting of the UN Security Council.

“We are and want to remain a region of peace, respectful of international law and with good relations between neighbors. The military force assembled and maintained by the United States in the vicinity of Venezuela and the recently announced naval blockade constitute a violation of the United Nations Charter. That is why they must cease immediately and unconditionally, in favor of the use of widely available political and legal instruments,” he said.

Danese said Brazil invites the two countries to “a real dialogue in good faith and without coercion” and that President Lula and his government are ready to “collaborate if necessary and with the mutual consent of the United States and Venezuela.”

He considered that the subject is not only of interest to Latin American and Caribbean countries.

“This concerns the entire international community, because ultimately, a conflict in the region could have repercussions on a global scale.”

He further said that it was the responsibility of the Security Council, all members and all States “to fight tirelessly, without fear or other motivation, to ensure that the disputes we are discussing today are resolved peacefully.”

“Active pursuit”

The US Coast Guard was “actively pursuing” an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela on Sunday (12/21), a US official told BBC US partner CBS News, as tensions in the region continued to rise.

American authorities had already seized two tankers in December.

Last weekend’s chase is believed to be linked to “a sanctioned Ghost Fleet vessel, which is part of Venezuela’s attempted illegal sanctions evasion,” a U.S. official said.

“It is sailing under a false flag and is the subject of a judicial seizure order.”

The United States has accused the ships leaving Venezuela of being part of a “ghost fleet” that allegedly uses various strategies to hide its activities.

According to Washington, these ships are part of the networks used by Nicolas Maduro’s government to transport oil to the international market, despite restrictions, often involving reflagging, shutdown of tracking systems and transfers of goods on the high seas.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro said the country was facing “a campaign of aggression from psychological terrorism and from privateers who stole oil tankers.”

“We are ready to accelerate the march of the profound revolution,” Maduro said.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered a “total blockade” of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.

The country – home to the world’s largest proven oil reserves – has accused the Trump administration of trying to steal its resources.

As of last week, more than 30 of 80 ships in Venezuelan waters or en route to the country were under U.S. sanctions, according to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com.

Venezuela relies heavily on revenues from its oil exports to finance public spending.

The United States has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea and carried out deadly attacks on suspected Venezuelan drug trafficking boats, killing around 100 people.

The U.S. government has not publicly presented evidence that these ships were carrying drugs, and the military has faced increasing scrutiny from Congress in the wake of the attacks.

The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a designated terrorist organization called the Cartel de los Soles, which he denies.