The United Nations has called for restraint following a series of US military strikes in the southern Caribbean, which have escalated tensions with Venezuela. During a recent UN Security Council meeting, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča highlighted the UN’s inability to independently confirm US claims that these strikes were aimed at drug-trafficking vessels. He expressed that the incidents pose significant risks to regional peace, urging all involved parties to exercise caution. Jenča further stressed that counter-narcotics operations must adhere to international law and the principles of the UN Charter.
Since early September, the United States has conducted numerous strikes on vessels suspected of transporting narcotics near Venezuelan waters. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, under directives from President Donald Trump, announced a new “counter-narcotics Joint Task Force,” emphasizing a zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking. He remarked, “if you traffic drugs toward our shores, we will stop you cold.” This aggressive posture has raised alarms about potential violations of international law.
UN human rights experts have voiced concerns about a particular US strike on a vessel, articulating that it may have breached the right to life and lacked sufficient justification. The use of lethal force, they argue, is only permissible in situations posing an imminent threat. They have called for a comprehensive and independent investigation to assess the legality of these actions.
Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro characterized the strikes as “heinous crimes” and indicated his willingness to declare a state of emergency should the US expand its military activities in the region. Accusing Washington of pursuing regime change under the guise of a naval build-up, Maduro contended that such actions undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty and said that a state of emergency would enable the mobilization of armed forces to defend the nation. More detailed accounts can be found in reports by JURIST and insights from Reuters provide additional perspectives on this escalating situation.