The UN Security Council debated the escalation of tensions between the US and Venezuela, while several countries called for de-escalation, respect for international law and a peaceful solution in accordance with the United Nations Charter. The US accused Maduro of being “the greatest threat to stability” and Caracas said that Washington wants Venezuelan wealth
The growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela led to a debate at the United Nations Security Council this Tuesday, December 23, where both parties accused each other of violating international law and putting peace in the region at risk. Although both countries pointed out and accused each other, several delegations from around the world agreed on the urgency of de-escalating the conflict, avoiding the use of force and opting for dialogue in accordance with the UN Charter.
The US opened its intervention by reiterating that it does not recognize Nicolás Maduro as legitimate president and calling him “the leader of the foreign terrorist organization Cartel de los Soles.” Likewise, he indicated that Nicolás Maduro constitutes “the greatest threat to the stability and peace of the Western Hemisphere.”
Its representative maintained that Washington “will use all its power to eradicate the drug cartels that have operated with impunity in the hemisphere” and defended sanctions and operations in international waters as mechanisms to protect regional security.
In contrast, Venezuela denounced that it faces “the greatest extortion known in its history,” being – according to Samuel Moncada, the country’s permanent representative to the UN – threatened with an armed attack if it does not hand over “its lands, its oil and its minerals.”
Caracas described the US actions as a “crime of aggression in progress”, denounced murders of civilians on the high seas and assured that “there is no armed conflict in the Caribbean that justifies the use of force.” However, he warned that he will exercise his right to self-defense if the attacks continue.
Calls for moderation and dialogue
Sierra Leone was one of the delegations emphatic in demanding containment. He recalled that the States of Latin America and the Caribbean have historically opted for “moderation and the resolution of differences through dialogue,” and urged “avoiding measures that increase tension or generate misunderstandings.”
“The collective security system is only effective if principles such as sovereign equality, the peaceful resolution of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force are respected,” said the representative of that country.
He also warned that maritime incidents with loss of life “require legal clarifications” and called for “calm, moderation and diplomacy” to avoid miscalculations and escalations.
Panama agreed on the need to stop the confrontation and expressed concern about recent incidents in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. “All action must be carried out in strict accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law,” said his delegation, while calling for “a peaceful and sustainable solution in Venezuela” and supporting the deployment of preventive diplomacy mechanisms by the Secretary General.
However, this country asked to coordinate and strengthen cooperation efforts “to redouble the fight against transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking.” He also “categorically rejected any authoritarian regime.”
China rejected the increase in military deployment, sanctions and blockades against Venezuela, and directly called on Washington to “stop its actions, avoid the escalation of tensions and respect the sovereignty and legitimate interests of the countries in the region.” The Chinese representative stressed that “detente is essential to preserve peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
Regional security, but without the use of force
The United Kingdom questioned Maduro’s legitimacy and denounced the deterioration of democracy and human rights in Venezuela, and also reiterated its adherence to multilateral norms. “We remain committed to a peaceful and negotiated transition,” said its representative, while defending the UN Charter as “essential to maintaining world peace, security and the rule of law.”
Guyana, for its part, warned that territorial tensions and drug trafficking directly threaten regional stability, but insisted that the response must be collective. “It is essential to act together to preserve the stability of a region recognized as a zone of peace,” he stated, reiterating his commitment to international cooperation.
Russia supported Venezuela and directly accused the United States of deliberately fomenting tensions under the pretext of combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Its representative denounced that Washington has resorted to “pseudo-legal and incompatible with international law” actions, including the destruction of civilian ships in the Caribbean Sea, and rejected the designation of the Venezuelan government as a terrorist organization as a valid justification for the use of force.
Other countries that took the floor in the Security Council of the UN were Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Nicaragua, among others.
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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