Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The emergency meeting was convened at the request of Venezuela and was chaired by Russia, which chairs the Security Council in October.
Strengthening the military presence and Venezuela's response
"In mid-August, an increase in the US military presence was recorded in the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela," Jencha reported. According to US authorities, he continued, these deployments are aimed at "stopping the flow of drugs into the United States and bringing those responsible to justice."
However, the UN representative stressed, “this military presence has increased existing tensions between the two countries.”
On August 29, Venezuela's Permanent Representative met with the UN Secretary-General to express his government's concerns about these actions. Later, in September, these concerns were confirmed by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister.
A series of airstrikes and loss of life
Jenca noted that "on September 2, the US government announced that American forces had struck a vessel suspected of transporting illegal drugs in international waters in the Southern Caribbean." According to US authorities, 11 people were killed in the attack.
"Based on information released by US authorities, additional airstrikes against vessels suspected of carrying drugs were carried out on September 15, 16, and 19, as well as on October 3," he added. In total, these operations reportedly resulted in 21 deaths.
"The United Nations does not have the ability to confirm this information," Jenča emphasized.
On October 2, a White House spokesman said the "President acted consistently with the laws of armed conflict" to protect the United States "from those who seek to bring deadly poison to our shores" as part of the President's "pledge to end cartels and eliminate these threats to national security."
Caracas reaction
Yencha reported that Venezuelan authorities have been on high alert since August. "They have also publicly stated that they are not seeking military action, but are prepared to defend the country's sovereignty," he noted.
On August 18, President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian Militia—a civilian force with military training—to support the armed forces. Furthermore, military exercises involving warships, aircraft, and drones were launched "to strengthen defense and sovereignty."
According to the US, on September 4, two Venezuelan military aircraft overflew a US military vessel in international waters, a move Washington deemed "extremely provocative." On September 13, Caracas announced that a US vessel had detained a Venezuelan fishing vessel for eight hours.
On September 29, President Maduro signed a decree declaring a state of emergency, granting the head of state expanded security powers "in the event of external aggression." The details of this decree, Jenca added, have not been made public.
On October 2, Venezuelan authorities said they had spotted five American fighter jets 75 kilometers off the coast, calling the flights a "provocation," a "threat to national security," and a "danger to civil aviation."
"Venezuelan authorities strongly condemned the strikes, which President Maduro called a 'violation of international law,' and called for an international investigation," Yencha said. In a letter to the Security Council on October 9, Venezuela's permanent representative stated that "the hidden purpose of the US actions is to advance a policy of regime change."
UN Photo/E. Debebe
Miroslav Jenča speaks at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Call for de-escalation
"Since 21 August, the Secretary-General, through his representative, has been calling on both sides to reduce tensions, exercise restraint and resolve differences through peaceful means," the rapporteur said.
He stressed that “it is essential that Member States ensure that their actions to combat drug trafficking comply with international law, including the UN Charter.”
The UN Secretary-General acknowledges the threat posed by transnational criminal groups. He calls on the international community to strengthen cooperation to combat this phenomenon.
In his speech, Jenča cited the words of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who recalled that the use of force in cases of combating illegal trafficking must comply with international human rights standards.
"We continue to emphasize the need for all efforts to combat transnational organized crime to be carried out in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter. We reiterate our call for de-escalation and urge the avoidance of any actions that could threaten international peace and security in the region," Jenča emphasized. "The United Nations remains ready to support any efforts in this direction," he concluded.
Russia's spokesman: Venezuela is under "threat of military invasion"
Russia's Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Venezuela "has been subjected to unprecedented pressure and the threat of military invasion for several months now."
“Just a few kilometers from the coast of this country, large-scale US military activity is unfolding, directly threatening regional and international peace and security,” he said.
Noting that destroyers, battleships, and a nuclear submarine had been deployed to the shores of Venezuela, Nebenzya declared: “Today we are dealing with a brazen campaign of political, military, and psychological pressure on the government of an independent state with the sole purpose of changing a regime that is undesirable to the United States.”
He condemned the "attacks on civilian courts" and said Washington was "deliberately… ignoring the Venezuelan leader's calls to jointly combat drug trafficking."
“From such actions to direct armed aggression there is only one step,” the Russian ambassador said.
China: US actions infringe on the sovereignty of other countries
"Under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the US deployed troops in the Caribbean waters off the coast of Venezuela," said China's Ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong. The US even seized Venezuelan fishing vessels, which "led to continued tension in the region," he noted.
Unilateral and disproportionate force operations against other countries' vessels, Fu Cong said, "infringe on the right to life and other fundamental human rights of the persons concerned" and "pose a threat to the freedom and safety of navigation."
He said such actions "seriously infringe on the sovereignty of other countries" and "threaten regional peace and security."
US Representative: "We will not allow an influx of drugs from Venezuela"
John Kelly, political adviser to the US Mission to the UN, said that the Trump administration is "going on the offensive against the drug trade and the drug cartels" that bring drugs into the United States, and that the administration is determined to use all its power to "destroy these cartels."
The United States will not allow cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs to flow from Venezuela and elsewhere and "kill Americans," Kelly said.
Noting that the government has designated the Tran de Aragua and Cartel de los Soles cartels as terrorist groups, he said their actions constitute an armed attack on the United States.
"The United States has reached a critical point where we must use force in self-defense and to protect others," Kelly said. He added that while the scale of the attacks is currently limited, Washington is prepared to conduct additional military operations as necessary. The diplomat added that his country does not recognize President Maduro "or his cronies" as the legitimate government of Venezuela.
Venezuela: "We will defend what is ours"
Venezuela's representative condemned the "propaganda campaign and disinformation" by the United States, as well as the "continued military deployment" off the coast of Venezuela, which he said includes "more than 10,000 troops, combat aircraft, guided missile destroyers and cruisers, amphibious assault forces, special operations assets, and even a nuclear submarine." These "belligerent actions and rhetoric," he said, make it "rational to assume that Venezuela will be attacked in the near future."
By bombing four small ships in the Caribbean, the US killed unarmed civilians who posed no threat, the Venezuelan diplomat continued: "This is not self-defense, but extrajudicial executions."
Venezuela does not seek war with anyone, he said, warning that if the United States attacks Venezuela, "we will defend what is ours."
UK: 'Nicolaás Maduro's claim to power is fictitious'
UK Representative Jennifer MacNaughtan expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, stating that "Nicolaás Maduro's claim to power is fictitious." She added that Venezuela's National Electoral Council has still not published the full results of the July 2024 elections, which were "neither free nor fair."
MacNaughtan emphasized that the Venezuelan authorities continue to intensify repression and undermine citizens' fundamental rights. According to a British diplomat, more than 800 people remain arbitrarily detained, with reports of enforced disappearances targeting opposition members, human rights defenders, and independent media representatives. "This must stop. Human rights must be protected," she stated.
The UK, according to the spokesperson, intends to continue collaborating with international partners to achieve a negotiated transition in Venezuela as the only path to ensuring respect for the will of the country's citizens. McNaughtan also emphasized the need to combat drug trafficking and organized crime as global threats that undermine security and economic development.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
