Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 23, 2025 Peace and security
From the moment last discussion On October 10, the United States' military presence and operations off the coast of Venezuela intensified, further escalating tensions between the two countries, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding Khaled Khiari told the UN Security Council on Tuesday.
Khiari recalled that the United States characterized its actions as part of a "non-international armed conflict" to combat drug cartels, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter. President Donald Trump stated that he intends to use "the full power of the United States to combat these drug cartels and root them out, no matter where they operate."
The Venezuelan government viewed the US actions as a serious threat to international peace and security. In a letter dated December 16, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister stated that the United States was violating the principle of the prohibition of the threat or use of force in international relations.
Airstrikes and International Law
Since early September, the US has carried out strikes on vessels it claims were transporting drugs. According to US authorities, 105 people have been killed in these operations. The exact coordinates of the strikes have not been disclosed, but the US claims they took place in international waters or within the "Southern Command area of responsibility."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned these attacks, stating that combating drug trafficking is a task for law enforcement agencies and not a pretext for the use of lethal force in an armed conflict. Türk called for an independent investigation, Khairi recalled.
Political steps and new sanctions
In late November, Presidents Nicolás Maduro and Donald Trump held a telephone conversation. The United States officially designated the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization and imposed new sanctions against its affiliates.
The US president also declared Venezuela's airspace "completely closed," prompting most international airlines to suspend flights to the country. Venezuela called this an attempt to impose an "air blockade."
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), in turn, recalled that each state has full sovereign authority over its airspace, but also noted that countries have the right to warn airlines about the risks of flying over the territories of other countries.
Blockade of oil tankers
On December 10, tensions escalated following the US announcement of the seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. President Trump claimed that Venezuelan oil was being used to finance criminal activity and ordered a "total and comprehensive blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers." The US subsequently imposed sanctions on six shipping companies and six vessels.
Venezuelan authorities described these steps as a "unilateral naval blockade" and, in letters to the Secretary-General and the President of the UN Security Council, stated that the US actions violate the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence and constitute a "violation of international law."
Amid the escalation, it was reported that the Venezuelan navy began escorting oil vessels leaving the country's ports. The US intercepted two more tankers off the coast of Venezuela on December 20 and 21.
The situation in Venezuela
Khaled Khiari also drew attention to deterioration of the situation of the residents of VenezuelaAccording to him, since the expansion of President Maduro's emergency powers, public life has become even more militarized, and humanitarian and human rights problems persist. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported forced conscription into the Bolivarian National Militia, including of adolescents and the elderly, as well as arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and severe socioeconomic hardship.
Nicolás Maduro, on his own initiative, held a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary-General on December 17. Antonio GuterresThe UN chief reaffirmed the Organization's position on the need to respect international law and the UN Charter, exercise restraint, and de-escalate in order to maintain regional stability.
Guterres pledged to support diplomatic efforts, including using his "good offices," stressing that "dialogue is the only viable path to lasting peace and the prevention of further instability and human suffering."
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