S/PV.10080 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Security Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I would like to remind everyone that this is an official meeting of the Security Council. Being fully aware that today’s briefing is not an easy one for anyone in the room, I would like to particularly remind all participants and speakers at today’s discussion to engage in this meeting with the utmost respect and to observe appropriate standards of tone, wording and content in their remarks. I now give the floor to Mr. Khiari. Mr. Khiari: The United States of America military presence and operations in the southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela, have increased since the Council last discussed the situation on 10 October (see S/PV.10015), further heightening tensions between the two countries. The United States described its military deployment as part of a “non-international armed conflict” against drug cartels and drug trafficking, invoking Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. President Donald Trump has stated that he is going to use the full power of the United States to take on and eradicate these drug cartels, no matter where they are operating from. The Venezuelan Government, including its Permanent Representative, has described the measures by the United States as a serious threat to international peace and security. Most recently, in a letter dated 16 December and addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2025/822), the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela asserted that the United States is violating the principle prohibiting the threat or use of force in international relations. United States strikes on vessels alleged to be illegally carrying drugs in the southern Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific have continued. According to United States authorities, 105 individuals have been killed in these strikes since 2 September. Officials have stated that the strikes have taken place in international waters or in the United States Southern Command’s area of responsibility. The exact locations of these incidents have not been disclosed. In a statement on 31 October, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the air strikes by the United States of America on boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific allegedly linked to drug trafficking violate international human rights law. The High Commissioner added that countering illicit trafficking of drugs across international borders is, as has long been agreed among States, a law enforcement matter, governed by the careful limits on lethal force set out in international human rights law. He called for prompt, independent and transparent investigations. In late November, President Nicolás Maduro Moros and President Trump held a telephone conversation. On 24 November, the United States designation of the Cartel de Los Soles as a foreign terrorist organization entered into force under United States law. Subsequently, the United States imposed additional measures against organizations and individuals it alleges are linked to these activities. On 29 November, President Trump declared that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be considered closed in its entirety. This followed an alert issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration a few days earlier, warning major airlines of a potentially hazardous situation when flying over Venezuela. Since then, most international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to and from the country. Venezuelan authorities have described this as an attempt to impose an air blockade. The International Civil Aviation Organization issued a statement on 1 December, recalling that “Article 1 of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation recognizes that every State has complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above its territory.” The statement further noted, “any State can issue any information to its own operators regarding risks for flights over or or in proximity of any geographic zones including of another State. On 10 December, tensions increased further when President Trump announced that the United States had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, stating that the Government of Venezuela was using oil to finance criminal activities. He also declared that “the Venezuelan regime has been designated a foreign terrorist organization” under United States law and ordered “a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela.” Subsequently, the United States authorities imposed sanctions on six shipping companies operating in Venezuela’s oil sector and six vessels allegedly associated with these companies, which the United States claims have engaged in deceptive and unsafe shipping practices. The Venezuelan authorities described these actions as a unilateral naval blockade. In identical letters dated 17 December and addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council (S/2025/825), the Permanent Representative of Venezuela stated that the United States actions violate Venezuela’s national sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence. The letter further asserted that the naval blockade, imposed unilaterally, constitutes a violation of international law. In recent days, reports indicate that the Venezuelan navy has been escorting ships departing its ports with petroleum products. On 20 December, the United States interdicted another tanker off the coast of Venezuela that was transporting oil from Venezuela. According to United States announcements, the vessel was suspected of carrying oil subject to sanctions under United States laws. On 21 December, the United States Coast Guard pursued a third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Reportedly, the ship did not submit to boarding during the attempted interdiction and continued sailing away from the Caribbean Sea. The United States actions have received support from some regional allies, but other Member States within and beyond the region have voiced concern about the militarization of the southern Caribbean and stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty and international law. Several Member States have echoed calls for de-escalation and dialogue to address ongoing tensions. In September, citing external threats, President Maduro enacted a decree expanding the Government’s emergency powers. Public life has become further militarized, while Venezuelans continue to face serious human rights concerns and socioeconomic challenges. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported coerced enlistment into the Bolivarian National Militia, including adolescents and older persons. The High Commissioner has also reported on sweeping restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances and acute social and economic strain. He called for an immediate end to enforced disappearances, incommunicado detention and unauthorized transfers of detainees to unknown locations. The High Commissioner further reiterated the disproportionate impact of broad sectoral sanctions on Venezuela’s most vulnerable populations, noting that these measures also hinder the work of human rights and humanitarian organizations. He called for the sanctions to be reassessed and lifted. Venezuela’s economy was already extremely fragile, with soaring inflation, currency instability and widespread income erosion. Millions are unable to meet basic needs. Recent air and maritime restrictions, along with reduced exports, risk further constraining the Government’s fiscal ability to deliver basic public services. As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the United Nations and its partners continue to work and deliver assistance in support of the Venezuelan people, including through recent financial allocations of the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund and the Venezuela humanitarian fund. On 17 December, at his request, President Maduro held a telephone conversation with the Secretary-General. The Secretary-General reaffirmed the United Nations position on the need for Member States to respect international law, particularly the United Nations Charter, exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability. The Secretary-General stands ready to support all efforts aimed at diplomatic engagement, including the exercise of his good offices, if both parties so request. He welcomes initiatives by Member States, offers for mediation and proposals for peaceful solutions. Dialogue is the only viable path towards lasting peace and preventing further instability and human suffering.

I thank Mr. Khiari for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

We would like to thank Khaled Khiari for his briefing. For several months now, the whole world has been watching as the United States continues to deliberately stir up tensions around our friend Venezuela under the pretext of fighting drug smuggling and terrorist threats, while illegally destroying civilian vessels in the Caribbean Sea. At the previous meeting of the Security Council (see S/PV.10015), we all had the opportunity to see that behind this artificial screen lies the task of building up the American military presence and putting pressure on an independent State whose policies do not suit Washington. It seems that the White House has decided to dust off the well-worn practice of using the need to fight terrorism as a justification for overt aggression and interference in the affairs of sovereign States. This time, the legitimate Government of the Bolivarian Republic has been declared a “foreign terrorist organization”. They are trying to impose on us all a flawed logic that a single decision by the American authorities is enough to turn a sovereign State into a criminal enterprise, against which any use of force can now be called a “law enforcement operation” and “the defence of national interests”. We see no point in delving into the absurd American pseudo-legal methods, given how untenable and profoundly inconsistent with international law they are, especially since Washington itself has candidly admitted this. The statement by the United States President of 16 December needs no further interpretation. This is a direct claim on the natural wealth and soil of another State and an open, if not flagrant, exertion of military, political and economic pressure, geared towards changing an inconvenient regime. The United States is already shoring up its intentions with acts of outright piracy aimed at seizing sovereign natural resources, which we have observed over the past week. We firmly condemn the seizure of oil tankers by United States troops and the de facto imposition of a naval blockade on Venezuela. The actions by the United States violate all key norms of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Security Council resolutions and the Charter of the United Nations itself. The illegal United States blockade of Venezuela’s coastline is a genuine act of aggression. It is also evident that Washington bears the responsibility for the catastrophic effects of the cowboy diplomacy being faced by the residents of the country under blockade. Unfortunately, there is every reason to believe that these are not one-off acts by the United States vis-à-vis Venezuela. This unfolding intervention could become a template for future acts of using force against Latin American States in accordance with the so-called “Trump Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine, which was enshrined in the recently published United States National Security Strategy. This is an unambiguous message to all countries of the region that are seeking to pursue a sovereign policy and are willing to independently shape their economic, political and cultural systems. Washington is ready to respect a State’s independence and take its interests into account only if it is prepared to accommodate the interests of the United States and conduct a policy that benefits it. As soon as the State is tempted to do something for the benefit of its own people, it will be treated the same way as Venezuela is being treated now. Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls — it tolls for thee. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Venezuelan people as they face the challenges that have befallen them, and we support the policy taken by the Government of Nicolás Maduro, geared towards protecting the national interests and sovereignty of the homeland. We stand convinced that all those for whom international law is not a mere buzzword are duty-bound to stand with Venezuela. We note that Caracas has consistently demonstrated its readiness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Washington, both in effective and coordinated counter-narcotics efforts and in the fight against real, rather than imagined, terrorism. By all accounts, all countries in the region support peaceful means of resolving differences and stand by multilateral cooperation in these areas. However, Washington turns a blind eye to all this, obstinately embracing its destructive policy, which is fraught with grave repercussions for the region and the world as a whole. We regret that the new United States Administration, which has been sober and pragmatic vis-à-vis other crisis situations, remains bound by approaches that it itself openly criticizes in relation to Venezuela. We trust that common sense will indeed prevail and that Washington will be able to stop at the right time and prevent a fatal error that would inevitably undermine long-term United States national interests. Latin America remains, for now, a zone of peace, and a full-fledged armed conflict there is the last thing humankind needs today, when President Trump has promised to rid humankind of conflicts. Unfortunately, the situation is not improving, and the United States continues to sow chaos in the western hemisphere, largely overturning positive outcomes achieved through the actions and initiatives of the new United States leader, and casting doubt on his true intentions in the global context.

China appreciates Slovenia’s presidency for convening this emergency meeting, requested by Venezuela and supported by Russia, China and other countries. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing. For some time now, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the United States has continued to increase its military deployment in the waters of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. It has escalated sanctions, blockades and military threats against Venezuela and claimed to have sunk Venezuelan vessels, shot dead crew members and seized oil tankers. It has designated the Venezuelan Government as a foreign terrorist organization; claimed that Venezuela’s territory, oil and assets belong to the United States; and even threatened military strikes against Venezuelan territory. The United States’ actions and rhetoric have led to continued tensions in the region, raising serious concerns among countries of the region and the international community. The Charter of the United Nations establishes the fundamental principles governing international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. They constitute the cornerstone of the international rule of law and are crucial for maintaining world peace and security. The actions of the United States seriously infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests; seriously violate the United Nations Charter and international law; and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. More and more countries in the region and beyond have voiced their grave concerns about and strong condemnation of the United States’ actions. We note that Secretary-General Guterres has clearly stated the need for all countries to respect international law and the United Nations Charter, exercise restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability, in addition to his readiness to use his good offices to this end. China attaches importance to President Maduro’s recent open letter. As an independent sovereign State, Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and defend its legitimate rights and interest, which should be respected and supported by the international community. China opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity. We stand against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and infringes upon other countries’ sovereignty and security, against the threat or use of force in international relations, against external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext and against illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdictions that have no basis in international law and lack any authorization from the Security Council. We call the United States to heed the just call of the international community, immediately halt related actions and avoid the further escalation of tensions. We urge the United States to uphold the safety of navigation of the countries of the region and the freedom and rights they enjoy under international law, to conduct normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation under bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks, to lift illicit unilateral sanctions and to do more to promote peace, stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Latin America and the Caribbean constitute an important part of the global South and are a vital force in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity. China recently released its third policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, reaffirming its support for the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the Declaration of the Member States of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, thereby fully demonstrating the high importance China attaches to the region and its corresponding support. China stands ready to work with countries in the region to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Let me begin by stating and reiterating that the United States does not recognize Nicolás Maduro or his cronies as the legitimate Government of Venezuela. Nicolás Maduro is a fugitive from American justice and the head of the foreign terrorist organization Cartel de Los Soles. In fact, Maduro and his regime stole the election, and the international community has the receipts. President Trump has been very clear that he is going to use the full power of the United States of America, the full might of the United States, to take on and eradicate these drug cartels, which have operated with impunity in our hemisphere for far too long, and everyone knows it. The single most serious threat to this hemisphere, our very own neighbourhood, and the United States, is from transnational terrorist and criminal groups. These cartels are not like the mafia. These cartels are sophisticated, very technically capable and well- financed, and they are wreaking havoc in our region. In its own 2025 World Drug Report, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime identified Venezuela as the key trafficking route in the entire western hemisphere for illegal drugs and for illegal narcotics and materials entering the United States and, increasingly, Europe. The United States will impose and enforce sanctions to the maximum extent to deprive Maduro of the resources he uses to fund the Cartel de Los Soles, which the United States has designated as a foreign terrorist organization, along with Tren de Aragua. Important to this Council meeting today, this includes profits from the sale of oil used to finance these cartels. The reality of the situation is that sanctioned oil tankers operate as the primary economic lifeline for Maduro and his illegitimate regime. These sanctioned tankers also fund the narco-terrorist group Cartel de Los Soles. Maduro is responsible for trafficking, using these resources and using these profits, into both the United States and Europe. And one has to ask: why have sanctions, either bilaterally, unilaterally or backed by the international community, if they are not enforced? Well, the United States, under President Trump, is enforcing them in international waters. Otherwise, they are just empty words. Furthermore, not only does Maduro’s illegitimate regime openly cooperate with and fund terrorists and criminal organizations, but it invites terrorist groups, such as Hizbullah and the Iranian regime, militias such as the Ejército de Liberación Nacional and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia dissidents to operate openly within their territory, unimpeded and unencumbered. Maduro’s ability to sell Venezuela’s oil enables his fraudulent claim to power and his narco-terrorist activities. The people of Venezuela frankly deserve better, these people who have suffered under Maduro’s socialist dictatorship. It is the action and the policies of the illegitimate Maduro regime that pose an extraordinary threat to our hemisphere’s peace and stability and to that of the United States. The bottom line is that, whether it is physical attacks on our buildings and infrastructure, like those we suffered on 9/11, or hybrid attacks like flooding our country with criminals and deadly chemicals, the United States will do everything in our considerable power to protect our hemisphere, our borders and the American people.

We are grateful to the presidency for convening this meeting, and we thank the Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, for his detailed briefing on the situation that brings us together today. We acknowledge the presence of the delegations from the countries of the region, who honour us with their participation. The peoples of Panama and Venezuela maintain deep historical ties, informed by the ideals of liberty and regional integration promoted by Simón Bolívar and tangible diplomatic and mediation efforts, from the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, which, next year, will mark its bicentenary, to the joint mediation role as part of the Contadora Group. It is precisely because of this historical kinship that Panama cannot remain indifferent to the profound political, economic and humanitarian crisis and the human rights violations afflicting this sister republic as a result of decisions and practices by a regime whose deeds have gravely undermined its people’s democracy. In the eyes of Panama, it is beyond doubt that the opposition candidate, Mr. Edmundo González Urrutia, was elected the winner in the most recent elections. The records attesting to his victory and confirming the will of the people, as expressed at the ballot box, are and will remain in Panama’s custody. Our region is confronting complex security challenges that are global in nature and encompass transnational organized crime and drug trafficking. In this context, even though our region does not represent the bulk of the demand for narcotics, it has, for decades, borne the brunt of their impact, owing to the production and distribution dynamics and reflected in the thousands of human lives claimed by the violence linked to this egregious scourge. Accordingly, Panama encourages the States of the hemisphere to coordinate and deepen cooperation efforts so as to step up the fight against transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, through the relevant international instruments such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. That said, whereas we share the legitimate concerns surrounding drug trafficking and categorically reject any authoritarian regime, we urge adherence to the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 2 on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to the international legal human rights framework, including the right to life, liberty and personal security. Against that backdrop, Panama has watched with concern the recent security incidents in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, which underscore the need to act in scrupulous compliance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations so as to avert any escalation that could affect regional stability. As a country of transit with a maritime focus, Panama will continue to call for any action that could affect freedom of navigation, neutrality, stability and peace in the oceans to be aligned with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which we are a State party. The neutrality of the Canal, enshrined in an international treaty concluded between Panama and the United States in 1977, to which more than 40 States have acceded, is a fundamental guarantor of freedom of navigation and stability. In that connection, Panama reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding this neutrality as a pillar of regional and global peace and stability, while urging States that have not yet acceded to this instrument to do so and thereby contribute to peace, stability and international maritime cooperation. Panama appeals for dialogue and a peaceful, sustainable outcome in Venezuela and considers it fitting for the United Nations, in particular the Secretary-General, to make use of its preventive diplomacy mechanisms to help to defuse tensions. Panama underscores its clear and steadfast position of upholding the Charter of the United Nations and multilateralism as crucial tools for safeguarding regional peace and stability. In this regard, Panama recalls that, 11 years ago, Latin America and the Caribbean were declared a zone of peace, and it will continue to promote the preservation of this status in the region, while consistently advocating adherence to international law and human rights for the good of our peoples.

We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing, and we welcome the participation of many countries from the region. We have long been clear that Nicolás Maduro’s claim to power lacks legitimacy. Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has still failed to publish the full results of the July 2024 presidential elections, after 18 months. Independent domestic and international reports observed significant irregularities and a lack of transparency. Meanwhile, political freedoms in Venezuela remain severely restricted. The human rights situation continues to deteriorate. The country’s political and judicial systems continue to be eroded. We remain deeply concerned about ongoing repression in Venezuela and the everyday struggles of Venezuelans. This includes extreme levels of poverty and failing basic services, which are precipitating a displacement crisis affecting the whole region. The United Kingdom stands firmly with the people of Venezuela in their pursuit of a democratic future. The voices of all Venezuelans need to be heard. They deserve a Government that reflects their will at the ballot box. We will continue to work to achieve a peaceful, negotiated transition in Venezuela that ensures that the will of all Venezuelans is respected. As we said in October (see S/PV.10015), drug trafficking and organized crime continue to endanger communities across the globe, undermining stability and putting our shared security at risk. We will continue to work with partners in Latin America and elsewhere to tackle this issue and address challenges. The United Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. We believe these foundations are essential for maintaining global peace, security and the rule of law. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is the cornerstone of international law on ocean- related issues. The United Kingdom will always support international law and the upholding of it. We continue to monitor this situation closely.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his important briefing. Sierra Leone takes note of the relevant letters by the Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the concerns placed before the Council regarding developments in the Caribbean Sea. Throughout our current tenure on the Council, Sierra Leone has sought to support peacemaking, dialogue and a steady commitment to international law. We do so mindful that, as we commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the United Nations and the signing of its Charter, a deliberate choice was made in 1945 to opt for collective security instead of balance of power or hegemonic security. The latter doctrines failed to stop the two World Wars. Eighty years on, this collective security scheme, premised on international law, is under tremendous strain. The system can remain only as strong and effective as our shared adherence to its principles, especially the sovereign equality of States, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the threat or use of force. As we approach the end of our Security Council tenure, we have sought to defend the very principles all 193 Member States have agreed to uphold. In that spirit, my delegation will offer the following observations. First, Sierra Leone recalls the importance attached by the States of Latin America and the Caribbean to maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace. This approach reflects a preference for restraint and for resolving differences through dialogue. We recall the position of the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community that reaffirmed maintaining the Caribbean as a zone of peace and emphasized dialogue and engagement towards the peaceful resolution of disputes. We therefore encourage all concerned to keep this regional aspiration in view and to avoid steps that could heighten tensions or create misunderstandings or miscalculations. Secondly, Sierra Leone recalls and reaffirms the principle of permanent sovereignty of States over their natural resources. This is a well-established principle of international law that supports sovereign equality and development. It also stresses that any disagreements relating to resources, economic measures or associated activities should be addressed through lawful and peaceful means, including appropriate dialogue and cooperation, as well as other methods of peaceful settlement of disputes, rather than through coercion or force. Thirdly, and most importantly, Sierra Leone underscores that the Charter of the United Nations provides the guiding legal framework for current inter-State relations. Article 2, paragraph 4, obliges all States to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State. The Charter permits the use of force only in limited and clearly defined circumstances, such as when authorized by the Council under Chapter VII or in the exercise of the inherent right of self-defence in response to an armed attack, consistent with Article 51. These rules are central to international stability and are intended to prevent escalation, miscalculation and illegal wars of choice. These principles are particularly relevant in the maritime domain. Sierra Leone recalls that the high seas are governed by international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which codifies relevant customary international law applicable to the parties concerned and provides the framework for navigation, maritime safety and the peaceful use of the oceans. For many States, especially developing and small States, predictable maritime rules are essential to trade, development and regional stability. Against that background, Sierra Leone notes the reports of incidents at sea involving the use of force and the loss of life. Without prejudging the facts, we emphasize a general point of law: when States respond to transnational challenges, whether illicit trafficking, organized crime or terrorism, those responses must remain consistent with the Charter and with other applicable rules of international law, including relevant maritime rules and international human rights law. In that regard, Sierra Leone also recalls that, outside a situation of armed conflict, the use of lethal force is subject to strict constraints under international human rights law, including the protection of the right to life. As a general principle, operations of a law enforcement character should seek, wherever feasible, to intercept and bring suspects to justice through due process. Reports that suggest loss of life in circumstances that may not meet the strict requirements of necessity and proportionality understandably raise serious legal questions and underscore the importance of credible clarification. Sierra Leone further notes the value of legal clarity and consistency in public explanations for any use of force. Clarity about the legal basis for action, whether under the Charter, the law of the sea or other applicable rules, can help reduce misunderstanding, miscalculation, avoid escalation and strengthen confidence in the international law-based system. Having expressed our observations, Sierra Leone’s primary appeal today is for calm, restraint and diplomacy. We encourage all parties concerned to avoid rhetoric or actions that could aggravate tensions and to pursue appropriate channels for dialogue, engagement and peaceful settlement, consistent with the Charter of the United Nations. We therefore welcome the statement by the Secretary-General and his offer to use his good offices role in this regard. The Council’s role is also to uphold the integrity of the international law framework. Where tensions arise, the consistent reaffirmation of Charter principles can help create space for de-escalation and constructive engagement. In that respect, Sierra Leone reiterates that the consistent application of international law is essential to maintaining trust in multilateralism and to safeguarding the collective security system. In conclusion, we wish to reiterate that, through restraint, dialogue and fidelity to the law, peace is best protected. Yet it may be more effective to conclude with a simple message: let peace reign, and blessed are the peacemakers.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing. I also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Venezuela, along with the representatives of many other countries of the region, in this meeting. We remain deeply concerned by the disturbing news emerging from the Caribbean region and the escalating tensions. We take note of Venezuela’s letters addressed to the President of the Security Council and that of yesterday, 22 December, sharing its perspective on these developments and highlighting the potential risks to regional peace, security and stability that require the attention of the Council. In a world marred by polarization, with conflicts affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions around the globe, it is all but imperative to once again underscore the centrality and inviolability of the Charter of the United Nations and its core principles, including friendly relations among nations based on respect for the principles of equal rights and self-determination of peoples; sovereign equality of all Member States; peaceful settlement of disputes; prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State; and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States. Any unilateral measures that run contrary to these cardinal principles and the tenets of international law risk setting dangerous precedents with far-reaching consequences. We firmly believe that the current trajectory serves no one’s interest. The path of confrontation and zero-sum approaches do not bode well for peace and tranquility in region. Any action that negatively impacts vital economic lifelines, exacerbates humanitarian challenges and closes the doors to dialogue must be avoided. We firmly believe that the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, are sacrosanct. We also reiterate our support for the principles reaffirmed by General Assembly resolutions 1803 (XVII) and 3171 (XXVIII) on permanent sovereignty over natural resources, endorsing the inalienable right of peoples and nations to freely dispose of their wealth, including natural resources. My delegation reiterates once again our consistent and principled position that any measures undertaken to counter transnational organized crime or cross-border narcotics drug trafficking must be undertaken in a cooperative manner and should remain in full conformity with international law. Allow me to conclude by calling upon all sides to exercise maximum restraint, de- escalate tensions and refrain from any actions that could further aggravate the situation. We urge all sides to engage in diplomacy aimed at peacefully resolving their differences, respecting the imperative of peaceful coexistence and choosing the path of dialogue and cooperation to ensure that the Latin American and Caribbean region is indeed a zone of peace.

We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting in response to the letter from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We also extend our appreciation to Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his comprehensive briefing on the worrisome development. We welcome the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the representatives from the region to this meeting. Our delegation is following the developments in the Caribbean region with close attention and concern. The issues raised today highlight the risks that heightened tensions can pose to regional and international peace and stability. In this context, we wish to emphasize the importance of restraint, calm and dialogue among all concerned parties. It is essential that every effort be made to avoid actions or rhetoric that could further escalate the situation. We encourage all parties to use diplomatic channels and established international mechanisms to address all concerns. We reiterate that upholding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the peaceful resolution of disputes, remains fundamental to preserving stability in the region and beyond. At this delicate juncture, we urge all stakeholders to act with caution and responsibility. We reaffirm our readiness to support any efforts aimed at de-escalation and mutual understanding.

I would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing, and I also welcome the presence of the representatives of many countries of the region in the meeting. Greece continues to follow developments in the Caribbean region closely and is concerned about the further escalation of tensions. We join the Secretary-General in advocating for de-escalation, the exercise of maximum restraint and respect for international law, particularly the Charter of the United Nations. I would like to make three points. First, we call for the peaceful resolution of any disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. In any case, adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians remain vital. Secondly, we caution against an escalation that would also pose a threat to maritime security in the Caribbean and could have repercussions for wider regional stability. In this context, upholding the law of the sea, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, remains of paramount importance. Thirdly, we fully support the region’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and fight organized crime, which may constitute serious threats to regional and international security. Those activities should ideally be pursued through law enforcement and judicial cooperation channels, with a view to disrupting criminal organizations and dismantling their business models. In conclusion, Greece stands ready to support all bilateral, regional and international efforts for a de-escalation in the region through dialogue and diplomacy, in line with international law and international humanitarian law.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his comprehensive briefing and welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Venezuela and the representatives of other Member States from our region in today’s meeting. The Security Council is tasked with the solemn responsibility of the maintenance of international peace and security, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. It is not an exaggeration to say that peace and security in our region are gravely threatened, meriting the Council’s urgent attention. Guyana is among those States most affected by these threats. In defiance of international law, including the express orders of the International Court of Justice, Venezuela has, by Presidential decree and legislative enactment, purported to unlawfully annex more than two thirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory. It has built up its military forces adjacent to our territory to threaten us with outright seizure of it. Disregarding the universally recognized international boundary between our two States, it has allowed and facilitates the transport of illicit drugs into Guyana, while illegally mining Guyanese gold and smuggling it out of our country. The trafficking of illicit drugs in particular has, for too long, been a scourge on our region, driving crime and violence and undermining the rule of law by weakening State institutions, fuelling corruption, financing conflict and terrorism and threatening national and regional security. There has been a consistent but thus far unsuccessful effort by leaders in our region to disrupt the criminal networks — some of them State- sanctioned — that fuel this cycle of destruction. Meanwhile, the threat to our security has grown more urgent and more acute. We cannot put off any longer the decisive action that is required to address it, but none of us can hope to accomplish this acting alone. We therefore once again stress, as we did on 10 October (see S/PV.10015), that supporting and strengthening collaboration with our international partners, especially those in South, Central and North America and the Caribbean, is both essential and urgent. We must act collectively in a manner that preserves the stability of our region, long recognized as a zone of peace, and which enhances the safety and security of our peoples. The ambition to pursue healthy, safe and prosperous lives for all our peoples can only be realized in an environment of sustained peace and stability. This requires cooperation and collective action among all States committed to these ends. Guyana is fully committed to such partnerships and pledges its utmost support.

I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his comprehensive briefing. The Republic of Korea is closely monitoring the recent developments related to Venezuela and is attentive to the security concerns raised by the relevant parties. The need to address transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, is an issue that the international community cannot ignore. At the same time, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and the protection of civilians remain core values that the Charter of the United Nations seeks to uphold. In this regard, the Republic of Korea recognizes the importance of efforts to counter international crime and the effective implementation of sanctions. Moreover, we believe it is equally important that such measures are carefully managed, so that they do not escalate into military tensions that could undermine peace and stability in the region. We firmly believe that transnational issues of this nature can best be addressed by regional parties taking a cooperative approach. The Republic of Korea appreciates that Latin America and the Caribbean has long demonstrated a strong commitment to multilateralism and peace, as reflected in the Treaty of Tlatelolco and the region’s declaration as a zone of peace. In this spirit, we encourage strengthening regional cooperation and the coordination of action to counter transnational organized crime in close partnership with relevant international and multilateral mechanisms. The Republic of Korea believes that upholding international order and the collective security system grounded in the Charter of the United Nations is a responsibility we all share. To this end, the Republic of Korea remains committed to contributing constructively to ensure that this matter is addressed with due caution and in a responsible manner, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting at such a critical moment. I also wish to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his detailed and informative briefing. I would further like to welcome the participation in this meeting of the representatives of Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua and Paraguay. Algeria is following recent developments in the Caribbean region with close attention and with deep concern, particularly reports regarding actions directed at Venezuelan oil tankers. These developments raise serious questions and risk further heightening tensions in an already delicate regional context. In this regard, Algeria underscores the imperative of avoiding any steps that could lead to escalation or confrontation, as such outcomes would have serious consequences for regional and international peace and security. The Charter of the United Nations enshrines the fundamental principles that govern peaceful relations among States. These include respect for sovereign equality, the self-determination of peoples, territorial integrity, non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is paramount, in this regard, to recall Article 2, paragraph 4, of the United Nations Charter, which states: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations”. These principles are not merely aspirational. They constitute binding obligations under international law and frame our collective responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. We call upon all actors concerned to exercise restraint and to refrain from any actions or rhetoric that could further inflame tensions or deepen divisions. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective and, indeed, the only means of resolving disagreements and preserving peace and stability in the region. Against the backdrop of these developments, Algeria recalls the significance of maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace, as proclaimed by the States of the region, 11 years ago. This shared commitment should continue to guide conduct and relations among all parties. In this context, Algeria encourages regional organizations, including the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States, to play a constructive role in fostering an environment conducive to dialogue, supporting impartial mediation efforts and avoiding actions that could aggravate tensions or further polarize the situation in Venezuela. The fight against drug trafficking and transnational organized crime constitutes a common challenge, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. Addressing this threat requires shared responsibility, as no State can confront it effectively in isolation. The effective response to these challenges must be grounded in international cooperation, in mutual respect and in solidarity, rather than confrontation, polarization, or unilateral measures. In this regard, Algeria stresses that regardless of how legitimate the efforts to combat drug trafficking and transnational organized crime are, they must never divert from these objectives. This is a global challenge that should foster unity and cooperation, not division among nations. In conclusion, Algeria calls on all parties to adhere strictly to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. History has repeatedly demonstrated that war and military intervention do not lead to lasting peace. On the contrary, they undermine it, as they always produce ripple effects that extend beyond borders, affecting neighbouring countries and entire regions. The only viable path forward to solve this issue lies in diplomacy, in cooperation and in full respect for international law.

Let me also thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing and welcome the many representatives from the region to this meeting. Denmark joins the Secretary-General in expressing concern about the heightened tensions in the Caribbean Sea, tensions that have continued to increase since the Council last met to discuss the topic in October (see S/PV.10015). We have taken note of the letters sent to the Security Council by the Permanent Representative of Venezuela over the past several weeks, expressing concern about continued escalations and military build-up. Denmark also takes note of the official statements from the United States Government on its operations to combat drug traffickers and stem the illicit flow of illegal narcotics. Drug trafficking remains a persistent threat to the safety, health and well-being of millions around the world. Denmark recognizes the devastating impact of this organized crime and underscores that all counter-narcotic efforts must be done in accordance with international law, including the fundamental rules and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. This includes treaties such as the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. We further stress multilateral initiatives and enhanced international cooperation to combat drug trafficking, to target sources of financing and to bolster border control. Regional mechanisms and cooperation remain important in the fight against transnational organized crime. Denmark underscores the importance of preserving the Caribbean as a zone of peace, as proclaimed by the leaders of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. Denmark strongly urges all parties to strictly adhere to international law and to de-escalate tensions and exercise the necessary restraint. Maritime security in the Caribbean Sea must be preserved. Differences must be resolved through peaceful means, diplomacy and political solutions. We further call for greater engagement with the United Nations and regional bodies such as the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States to play a role in facilitating dialogue and de-escalation. Before I conclude, I want to express Denmark’s solidarity with the people of Venezuela and their inherent right to democracy, freedom and inalienable human rights. We do not believe the democratic will of the people of Venezuela was respected during the elections in 2024, which were not transparent and also failed to meet international standards of electoral integrity. We further remain deeply troubled by the Maduro regime’s continued repression and its sustained assault on the fundamental human rights of the Venezuelan people, in particular through its targeting of opposition voices, independent media and human rights defenders. We recall that earlier this week, a United Nations fact-finding mission reported that Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard has committed serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Venezuela for more than a decade, with full impunity. In this context, we regret the recent decision of the national Parliament of Venezuela to initiate the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court. Denmark calls on the Venezuelan authorities to restore democratic institutions, political stability and human rights for the Venezuelan people.

I wish to begin by thanking Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his statement. France is following closely the developments in the region, particularly following President Trump’s announcements about Venezuelan airspace and the subsequent naval blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. France appeals for any escalation that could imperil peace and security in the region and beyond to be averted. France underscores, as it does at all times, its commitment to respect for international law and the Charter of the United Nations in particular. The principles of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of States must be observed. Every international dispute must be resolved peacefully in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3, of the Charter. France supports the Secretary-General’s call for restraint and immediate de- escalation and his offer of good offices. It also conveys its support for the offers of mediation from those States in the region that are capable of contributing to those efforts. The fight against drug trafficking must be waged in accordance with international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the various international conventions on narcotics control, specifically the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988, which sets out the relevant framework for action against illicit trafficking at sea in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law human rights law. France reiterates its firm commitment to combating drug trafficking, which is increasingly jeopardizing the safety and health of our citizens and the stability of our societies. To that end, France has ramped up its judicial and police resources and is striving to enhance its cooperation with States of origin and transit and springboard States. This cooperation is bearing fruit, as recently shown by our contribution to the Panamanian authorities’ dismantling of a sizeable network for trafficking drugs destined for a number of European countries, including France, from Tocumen International Airport in Panama. France reiterates its support for multilateral initiatives to dry up traffickers’ sources of financing and to bolster border control, in particular through its efforts to establish a dedicated European sanctions regime for organized crime. To conclude, France wishes to reaffirm its solidarity with the people of Venezuela in the political crisis that they are enduring. A dialogue among all stakeholders is necessary to restoring stability in the country.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Slovenia. I want to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing. Slovenia remains gravely concerned about the current tensions in the Caribbean region, which have intensified since the Council last discussed the situation (see S/PV.10015). Steps involving an increased military presence carry a serious risk of unintentional escalation and must be avoided to ensure that the southern Caribbean does not become a theatre of confrontation. We reaffirm our position on the obligation of all Member States — large and small — to respect international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations. The principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence form the cornerstone of the collective security framework and must be respected, not only when one feels threatened. We note that international law also serves as the anchor in addressing maritime security challenges, including efforts to suppress illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and to ensure the safety of maritime navigation. Slovenia is deeply troubled by the potentially wider repercussions of these tensions for a region already facing unprecedented migration pressures. At this critical moment, it is imperative that Member States exercise restraint and work to de-escalate the situation in order to preserve regional stability. Measures typically reserved for wartime undermine Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace and should be avoided to the fullest extent possible. On the other hand, we remain deeply alarmed by the persistent humanitarian and human rights challenges confronting the Venezuelan people, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and today by Assistant Secretary- General Khiari. Against a backdrop of worsening economic and social hardship, restrictions on political and civic space continue to intensify. We are equally concerned about reports of the detention of dozens of foreign citizens, who have been denied communication and access to their diplomatic and consular representatives — a clear breach of fundamental obligations under international law, in particular those enshrined in the Vienna Conventions. We call on the Venezuelan authorities to fully uphold these obligations and, on the basis of the rule of law, create the conditions necessary for a credible, inclusive and meaningful political dialogue that respects the will of Venezuelan people. In conclusion, as in any other conflict, there is no military solution to disagreements between the United States and Venezuela or the tensions in the Caribbean. We welcome and encourage initiatives by regional leaders aimed at pursuing peaceful avenues for de-escalation. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I now give the floor to the representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

One of the countries sitting at this table has publicly stated that it wants to annex our country. Its President demanded, on 16 December, that we immediately hand over our land, our oil and our minerals, because they supposedly belong to that country. He said that if we did not comply with his ultimatum, he would unleash the fury of the greatest navy in history on our country. We are in the presence of a Power that acts outside international law, demanding that Venezuelans vacate our country and hand over our Orinoco River, our Lake Maracaibo, our Margarita Island, our beaches, rivers, plains and mountains. Otherwise, he will carry out the armed attack he has been announcing for weeks. This is the greatest extortion known in our history; a gigantic crime of aggression in progress, beyond all rational parameters, all legal logic, all historical precedent. However, it is not just about Venezuela; the ambition is continental. The United States Government has expressed this in its national security strategy, in which it states that the future of the continent belongs to it with the enactment of the Monroe Doctrine in the twenty-first century, now exacerbated by the Trump Corollary. Our Liberator, Simón Bolívar, warned of this more than 200 years ago when he said that: “The United States seems to be destined by providence to plague America with misery in the name of liberty.” We are warning the world: Venezuela is only the first target of a larger plan. The United States Government wants us to be divided so it can conquer us piece by piece. The United States, which was an indispensable country in the construction of the United Nations and in the drafting of its founding Charter, has today become an actor that seeks to impose itself on the fundamental rights of all States of the American continent, even at the cost of destroying the United Nations. We have requested this meeting, aware that the United States Government will not allow this body to adopt a decision that would put a stop to its sinister plan. The world should know that in November, the United States Government was the only one that prevented an agreement in the Security Council to condemn attacks against civilians on the high seas and to call for détente, dialogue and diplomacy. The United States Government is preventing the Security Council from fulfilling its mandate. If in 1945 that country was a force for good, today it has become a State that threatens multilateralism and international law. The world must know that the threat is not Venezuela. The threat is the current United States Government. The murders in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocea carried out by the United States Government over the past few months are the first evidence of its plan to impose its power in the region, in flagrant violation of international law and human rights. There have been more than 29 attacks resulting in more than 101 victims, non-combatant civilians, in the absence of armed conflict, who were coldly murdered, violating their right to the presumption of innocence and due process. Let it be clear, once and for all, that there is no war in the Caribbean; there is no international armed conflict, nor is there a non-international one, which is why it is absurd for the United States Government to seek to justify its actions by applying the rules of war. The invocation of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations to explain terrorism against civilians, masked by the argument of self-defence, is a perverse distortion of the law, attempting to turn small, unarmed boats in the Caribbean, thousands of kilometers from the United States, into alleged perpetrators of an armed attack with weapons of mass destruction. These are extrajudicial executions, intentional killings, committed by a military force against unarmed civilians. We stated that before the Security Council on 10 October (see S/PV.10015). Today it is absolutely clear that the United States Government is not only violating international law but also its own domestic legislation. Today, when there are four times as many victims, they do not dare to show the recorded evidence of the killings, because it would reveal their cruelty and would provoke worldwide revulsion. Despite that, today, with more than 100 victims, the killer who roams the Caribbean claims that there is no end in sight to their crimes against humanity. On 16 December, President Donald Trump publicly stated the following: “Today, I am ordering a total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going in and out of Venezuela.” This is a confession of a crime, specifically a crime of aggression, with which the President of the United States intends to turn back the clock of history 200 years to impose a colony on Venezuela. Meanwhile, on 10 December, United States military units violently assaulted a vessel engaged in lawful international trade in international waters in the Caribbean. They subdued and kidnapped the entire crew and illegally seized the cargo of Venezuelan oil, which was part of a legitimate and regular commercial operation. It was a robbery carried out by military force, which sets an extremely serious precedent for the safety of navigation and international trade. The illegal use of State force to carry out thefts on the high seas is worse than piracy, since in this case it is not only a matter of the theft of commercial vessels, which demonstrates the level of deliberate intent, and the violation of their rights to navigate in international waters, but also of the de facto annexation of the entire Caribbean Sea by a naval Power. In doing so, it violates Venezuela’s inalienable right to trade legally with the world and seeks to deny all countries the right to trade with Venezuela. Just three days ago, on 20 December, a second act of the same nature took place, when another vessel carrying Venezuelan oil was similarly seized by United States military forces in international waters in the Caribbean. The cargo was stolen, and the crew was kidnapped. Shortly thereafter, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth indicated that such criminal operations would continue, while President Trump declared that he would keep the stolen cargo. I ask: what right does the United States Government have to appropriate 4 million barrels of Venezuelan oil? This alleged naval blockade is essentially a military act, aimed at laying siege to the Venezuelan nation, degrading its economic and military apparatus, weakening its social and political cohesion, and causing internal chaos, to facilitate aggression by external forces; that is, armed attack. This has been stated by President Trump himself, who is also violating the right to existence of the entire Venezuelan people by deliberately denying them the essential means for their subsistence. On 29 November, President Trump stated: “To all airlines, ... consider the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety.” This statement was put into practice by an electronic warfare campaign by United States military forces in the region, which has been jamming the navigation instruments of all civilian aircraft transiting Venezuelan airspace to provoke a security incident. Electronic interference in the Caribbean has almost caused at least two tragedies involving United States civilian aircraft that were seconds away from colliding with aircraft belonging to their own country’s air force. It should be noted that the civilian aircraft involved took off from Curaçao and Aruba, both bound for United States territory, which proves that the danger created by that country’s military forces against its own citizens also affects the airspace of other nations, such as the Caribbean Netherlands. There can be no doubt: the United States Government poses a threat to the entire region, which was declared a zone of peace in 2014. As we warned this organ on 9 October (see S/2025/633), this type of behaviour, combined with a series of unreported military incursions into Venezuela’s flight information region, is an attempt to provoke a direct confrontation; in other words, to fabricate a provocation that would allow Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations to be falsely invoked. The United States Government — the aggressor — needs its propaganda apparatus to present it to the world as the country under attack for it to initiate an armed conflict. We denounce this dangerous manipulation and assure the world that we will not lose our composure in defending the peace of our nation. Let us repeat: the threat is not Venezuela; the threat is the United States Government. This set of proven facts cannot be viewed in isolation. They must be understood as a cumulative process of aggression that increases the destructive impact on the Venezuelan nation. They constitute illegal acts of direct use of armed force against a nation that is in perfect peace and has no conflict whatsoever with the United States. Unfortunately, the Security Council risks missing the opportunity to halt the criminal plans of the United States Government, owing to the abusive way in which the United States Government exercises its power in this organ. Today the red line has been crossed, and the United States Government bears international responsibility for the ongoing aggression. We are before a massive violation of the entire international legal architecture. It is a grotesque offence that violates all civilizational norms. Today the United States Government is imposing chaos and destruction on international relations, just as the evil actors who caused the Second World War did. The peremptory norms of international law, jus cogens, which are undisputed the world over and form part of humankind’s cultural heritage, are being ignored by the United States Government, including the prohibition of aggression, the prohibition of crimes against humanity and the right to self-determination. Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations establishes guiding principles for international relations, which the United States Government is flagrantly violating. We are referring to the principle of the legal equality of States and the principle of refraining from the use or threat of use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of States. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes that everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. Likewise, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the United States is a party, establishes life as an inherent right of every person, of which no one may be arbitrarily deprived. This central instrument also prohibits the deprivation of the means of subsistence of entire peoples. The Geneva Convention on the High Seas, to which the United States is also a party, establishes not only the right to freedom of navigation but also that no State may legitimately claim sovereignty over any part of the high seas, as they are open to all nations. The jurisprudence established by international courts confirms that the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs of States, refraining from the use or threat of force and respect for sovereignty are part of customary international law, as reflected in judgments dating from 1986 to the present day. General Assembly resolution 1803 (XVII) on permanent sovereignty over natural resources establishes that the violation of such rights is contrary to the spirit and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. General Assembly resolution 2625 (XXV) establishes that a war of aggression constitutes a crime against peace and entails responsibility and that another State may not acquire the territory of a State as a result of the threat or use of force. General Assembly resolution 3314 (XXIX) states that, regardless of a declaration of war, the blockade of the ports or coasts of a State by the armed forces of another State qualifies as an act of aggression. Despite having legally binding obligations under all these instruments, the United States Government is openly violating them with total impunity. However, the United States Government, which is behaving like an irresponsible actor in the community of nations, is seeking to convince the world that the law must be strictly complied with by all, except the United States Government. That is the ideology of exceptionalism: a State above the law, a State above everyone else. It is perfectly clear that the problem is not Venezuela; the problem is the United States Government. The massive violation of international law must be understood at its roots, and for this reason, we must unmask the disinformation operations that the United States Government has been using, with an enormous propaganda apparatus, to justify its aggression against a peaceful country such as Venezuela. Back in 2019, there was an attempt to impose a puppet ruler to replace the legitimate Government of Venezuela, and clandestine operations were carried out to sabotage essential services. There was also an attack from abroad disguised as humanitarian aid, several assassination attempts against the nation’s legitimate constitutional President, a failed invasion by terrorists and mercenaries, several coup attempts and action aimed at crippling oil production, in addition to more than 1,000 unilateral coercive measures. The Venezuelan nation resisted this criminal destabilization operation under the leadership of President Nicolás Maduro Moros, who has been the target of the most intense international propaganda campaigns against a Head of State in the history of our continent. Today, in 2025, faced with the failure of all previous attempts, some political groups in the United States need a justification for the direct use of armed force. The narratives rehearsed by the propaganda machine have been changeable, incoherent and above all false. Let us look at the evidence. The hate campaign began in the United States with an attack on all Venezuelans, who were designated as foreign enemies, invaders and terrorists, members of the so- called Tren de Aragua, and their presence in the United States was declared as incompatible with the national security of that country. Then, our compatriots were stigmatized as drug traffickers, and, moreover, it has been claimed that the vast majority of them are dangerous criminals who have escaped from prisons or psychiatric hospitals. This is a xenophobic and racist campaign, the likes of which have not been seen since the Second World War against migrants of a different nationality. We are witnessing a classic example of military propaganda. There is no connection whatsoever with reality. There is no evidence, nor a need to present any, just repeated incoherence, in the hope of confusing people, of creating a fog that enables aggression. One of the leading propagandists in the United States Government during the invasion of Iraq put it very clearly: “We are an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you are studying that reality … we will act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that is how things will sort out. We are history’s actors, and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.” Today, the masks have come off. All the excuses of toxic information used to poison public opinion are confronted with the harsh reality of senior United States Government officials, when they announce that the real objective is not drugs, not security, not freedom; it is oil, it is mines, it is land. On 16 December, the President of the United States stated that: “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest armada ever assembled in the history of South America. It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before … until such time as they return to the United States of America all of the oil, land and other assets they previously stole from us … all of which must be returned immediately.” On 17 December, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed that the entire Venezuelan oil industry belongs to the United States and demanded its return. On 20 December, Secretary of War Peter Hegseth stated that the blockade against Venezuela will remain in full force until our country returns the allegedly stolen assets to the United States. All this means that the United States Government is claiming the world’s largest oil reserves as its own, in what would be one of the greatest acts of plunder in human history. This absurd statement confirms that there is no limit whatsoever to the United States Government’s addiction to oil, and that all the excuses brandished in relation to our country have been part of a smokescreen. It is a plan of conquest and colonization that has no place in the twenty-first century; a plan of extortion that demands we hand over our heritage and our country in exchange for United States troops not firing on our people. The absurd claim that Venezuelan oil belongs to the United States, based on the argument of an alleged historical debt, has no legal, political or historical basis; it is simply non-existent. No debt, and even less so an imaginary one, as in this case, gives a State the right to resort to the use of force, much less to unilaterally appropriate the natural resources of another State. Accepting such logic would be tantamount to admitting that, in the light of the enormous debt that the United States itself owes to countries such as China, Japan and the United Kingdom, the attack, blockade, or total confiscation of United States assets and resources could be legally justified, which is clearly absurd and contrary to any legal order. It should also be remembered that, in relations between Venezuela and the United States concerning energy, Venezuela has historically been the disadvantaged country, owing to unfair trade arrangements and economic conditions that benefited the United States side for decades. Venezuela remains steadfast in its defence of cooperative relations concerning energy, based on equality and mutual benefit, promoted on the basis of sovereign equality and respect for both parties. This is, therefore, one of the most dishonourable and despicable proposals we have ever received in our entire history, and we reject it from the depths of our patriotic honour. The truth is brutal and criminal. The United States Government is threatening Venezuela with armed attack to satisfy the big oil corporations, particularly ConocoPhillips and Exxon-Mobil, pioneers in the theft of Venezuelan oil. The children of American families will be ordered to risk their lives to line the pockets of oil company shareholders with billions of dollars, while thousands of Venezuelan and American families are destroyed. It is blood for oil. Blood for oil is not a noble proposition. It is unworthy and unacceptable. War for oil is a death sentence; the same one that was offered to Iraq, Syria, Libya and so many others. The behaviour of the United States Government confirms the cynical slogan of the propaganda for wars over oil, which states that “it's not our fault that God put America’s oil under other people’s countries”. It is a war of plunder and pillage under a flag taken from the pit of human values. We must emphasize that the United States Government’s proposal, even if it fails, constitutes an attack on the entire system of international relations and, in particular, on the global South, whose peoples are considered inferior by the current United States Administration. The Security Council loses its meaning if the United States Government persists with its devastating proposal. No one is safe. There are no principles to govern our countries and our peoples. That is why it is important that this organ must be capable of fully complying with its mandate, and to this end we demand that it explicitly condemn this ongoing aggression, from extrajudicial executions to acts of piracy. We also demand that it take the necessary measures to ensure that the United States Government withdraws its military forces, ends the use of force and lifts the unilateral blockade it has imposed on our country. Finally, we demand that a process of accountability be initiated to punish these acts and prevent their recurrence. Otherwise, we face the consolidation of a dark world, without principles, without ideals, governed by violence and dishonour, a world without the United Nations. We repeat, Venezuela is not the threat; the threat is the failure to comply with international law. The world knows that, should this scale of armed attacks continue, we will exercise, with complete determination, our inalienable right to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. Fortunately, the future may be different. We have all seen how, despite the warmongering propaganda, the vast majority of the people of the United States reject any attempt to go to war with Venezuela and demand an end to aggression, repudiating the destructive ideology of endless wars. There is no tension whatsoever between the peoples of the United States and Venezuela. In Venezuela, our people are at peace, united, filled with patriotic faith, determined to defend their land, their families, their heritage, their history and their honour. The Orinoco will always be Venezuelan. There is no force on Earth that can take away our right to exist. Finally, allow me to say a few words to our people. It is an honour for us to represent here the voices of millions of Venezuelans who are in our homeland, working peacefully to defend our right to live in peace. Millions of women and men working in the fields and cities, in factories and schools, in hospitals and in the Bolivarian national armed forces, building a dignified, independent and sovereign nation. We must all be proud to be experiencing this momentous time in our history — a time when defending our homeland against a foreign Power that, full of arrogance, believes that it can turn us into a colony. We — the men and women of Venezuela — are grateful that life has afforded us the opportunity to fight for our second independence and to show the world what we are made of: optimism, pride and love for our country. Now is the time to come together to defend what is ours. Now, as we prepare, full of joy, to celebrate Christmas with our families, let us also call to mind all the efforts of our ancestors, who entrusted this nation to our care for the sake of our children. The responsibility now rests with us to defend our past, our present and our future. Let us vanquish the despotism that is making its voice heard. Glory to the brave people who threw off the yoke! Sisters and brothers, together, we will prevail. Merry Christmas to one and all.

I would like to request the remaining eight speakers to limit their statements to a maximum of five minutes, in order for us to finish the meeting within the allocated time. I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

We would like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his valuable briefing. Recent military activities undertaken by the United States in the Caribbean Sea and the public pronouncements at the highest level by the United States Government are giving rise to tensions in a region that, thus far, has been characterized by stability and peaceful coexistence. Latin America and the Caribbean declared themselves a zone of peace on the basis of clear principles: the prohibition of the threat and use of force; the peaceful settlement of disputes; the promotion of dialogue and multilateralism; unreserved respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; non-interference in the internal affairs of States; and the inalienable right of peoples to self-determination. The escalation in military action not only heightens the risk of a wider conflict, but also, in addition to contravening international law, undermines collective efforts to avert conflict and foster regional stability. Colombia categorically objects to any threat of the use of force and the carrying out of such threat as a means of dispute resolution. Those deeds and the unilateral coercive measures, which are inconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the decisions of this organ, are undermining the rule of law and are no substitute for dialogue, preventive diplomacy or peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms, which should take precedence in all action among States. Colombia is fully alive to the fact that transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, poses a significant threat to achieving peaceful and inclusive societies. This is an opportune moment to point to the fact that Colombia has demonstrated sustained and verifiable commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking and other forms of transnational crime, as shown by the record numbers of seizures and joint operations carried out in strict compliance with international law, proportionality and necessity, and respect for human rights. In this connection, we call for a strengthening of regional and international cooperation and coordination in a manner consistent with the principle of joint and shared responsibility and within the framework of existing legal instruments and international agreements in force. The aim is to create a safe and stable environment for our peoples and thereby counter every form of transnational crime, in strict compliance with international obligations and cooperation. Under no circumstances must extrajudicial responses to the activities of transnational organized crime and/or attacks against the civilian population and civilian property be permitted. Silence in the face of events that threaten international peace and security does nothing to help to de-escalate or protect the most vulnerable. Any act or omission not geared towards peace should not be met with inaction from the Council, whose responsibility is to speak out and promote action that is aligned with its mandate of maintaining international peace and security. Colombia reaffirms its strong commitment to upholding peace, stability, democracy and development throughout the region, in the belief that only through mutual respect, unreserved adherence to international law, multilateral cooperation and dialogue can lasting solutions be created. The fight against transnational organized crime must be waged exclusively in strict compliance with international rules, without engaging in extrajudicial action or interpretations that seek to justify the use of force beyond those foreseen in the Charter. In that connection, we urge all parties to act with a sense of responsibility, restraint and the political will to abide by the Charter of the United Nations and to use mediation and dialogue, including those facilitated by the region, as the only valid method for resolving disputes.

I now give the floor to the representative of Chile.

Chile is grateful to Slovenia for convening this open briefing under the agenda item “Threats to international peace and security”. We are likewise grateful to Mr. Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. Chile wishes to convey its profound concern about the deployment of large-scale military operations in the Caribbean and to object to any armed action that may threaten stability and peace in the region. These considerations point to the importance of adhering to international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition of the threat or use of force and respect for human rights. Chile further wishes to underline the urgency of pursuing coordinated efforts to address the threat of transnational organized crime and its firm belief that Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a zone of peace. My country’s stance has been consistent. Chile does not recognize the current regime led by Mr. Nicolás Maduro as legitimate, given the lack of democratic conditions, electoral guarantees and full compliance with the rule of law. Nonetheless, we reaffirm that our position has always been aimed at defending the Venezuelan people, whose rights and dignity must be at the forefront of all international consideration. The tensions we are currently witnessing do not allow us to forget the protracted deterioration of institutions, the restrictions on civil and political rights and the lack of proper space for democratic participation. This is happening alongside a grave humanitarian and migration crisis, which has become one of the largest episodes of displacement in the modern world. Millions of Venezuelans have been forced to leave their country in search of safety, basic services and opportunities, which is posing immense humanitarian challenges both within Venezuela and in host countries in the region, including our own. Against this backdrop, Chile wishes to draw particular attention to the risks that any military escalation or armed conflict would entail. A confrontation of that kind would have devastating humanitarian consequences, compound the plight of the civilian population and further aggravate the dynamics of displacement, insecurity and vulnerability. Any disputes must be addressed exclusively through peaceful means, in strict compliance with international law, State sovereignty and the prohibition of the use or threat of force. In the face of this complex scenario, Chile believes that multilateral mechanisms for dialogue and prevention have a worthwhile role to play. In that vein, we are paying particular attention to the role that the United Nations and, in particular, the Secretary- General and the Council, can play, with the consent of the relevant parties, in defusing tensions and arriving at agreements conducive to a peaceful and sustainable solution. Prudent leadership and the experience accumulated by our Organization could provide significant support in preventing a deterioration of the situation and maintaining the channels of communication open. Our conviction is clear: the challenges confronting Venezuela do not have a military solution. They can be addressed only through gradual and inclusive peaceful processes that take into account the legitimate aspirations of the Venezuelan people and prioritize the protection of civilians. Chile reiterates its readiness to support constructive initiatives in this direction and to work together with the countries of the region and the international community on behalf of stability, mutual understanding and respect for the principles that underpin this Organization.

I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

The Argentine Republic thanks the Slovenian presidency for convening this briefing. Argentina wishes to express once again its deep concern about the serious situation in Venezuela. As it has stated in various forums, Argentina is of the view that the illegitimate regime of Nicolás Maduro has plunged Venezuela into a serious political, humanitarian and social crisis, the effects of which transcend the domestic sphere and have a negative impact on the stability of Latin America and the Caribbean. The persistence of impunity and the weakening of the rule of law in Venezuela; political and institutional destabilization; and the spread of transnational organized crime pose a real threat to the security of the hemisphere. Since the beginning of President Milei’s Administration, Argentina has strongly condemned what is happening in Venezuela: the lack of freedom; the systematic violation of human rights; the illegal detentions and forced disappearances of political opponents, Venezuelan citizens and foreigners, and even children and adolescents. Peace, freedom and democracy in Latin America have been jeopardized by a regime lacking political legitimacy which does not allow free and democratic elections and which disregards the sovereign will of the Venezuelan people, expressed overwhelmingly at the polls in favour of Edmundo González Urrutia, whom Argentina recognizes as the President-elect of Venezuela. It is worth recalling that Venezuela has been suspended from MERCOSUR since 2017 for violating the Ushuaia Protocol on the Democratic Commitment in the Southern Common Market, the Republic of Bolivia and the Republic of Chile. The Protocol establishes democracy as an essential condition for regional integration, allowing for the suspension of any member State in the event of a breakdown of democratic or constitutional order and applying automatic sanctions to protect the values and the rule of law in the region. The restoration of democratic order and unrestricted respect for human rights in Venezuela is essential. In this context, President Milei, at the MERCOSUR Summit on 20 December, stated: Argentina welcomes the pressure from the United States to liberate the Venezuelan people. Moreover, there can be no true security in Latin America while the life, liberty and stability of our countries are constantly threatened by drug trafficking, terrorism and transnational organized crime. These networks are sustained and expanded thanks to the protection, complicity and collusion of regimes, such as the one currently ruling Venezuela. Lastly, Argentina emphasizes the responsibility of the international community to speak out clearly and decisively against the Maduro regime: to demand the release of political prisoners, including Argentine citizen Nahuel Gallo, who has been illegally detained in Venezuela since 8 December 2024; and to ensure the restoration of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and economic prosperity in Venezuela. Only in this way will there be true peace in the region.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

I appreciate the convening of this emergency meeting of the Security Council and the briefing provided to us by Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari. Brazil is a staunch promoter and defender of the Charter of the United Nations, multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We are also a neighbour and friend of Venezuela, with which we share an extensive land border and strong historical, social and economic ties. As with all matters addressed by the Council, the imperative parameter for its action must be the Charter of the United Nations, in particular its principles and provisions on international peace and security. Among these principles, the Charter establishes the legally binding obligation not to use or threaten to use force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 51 concerning the right of self-defence. These principles and provisions are binding on all Member States. They do not allow for exceptions based on ideological, geopolitical, political or economic interests or projects or those of any other kind. They also do not allow for exceptions related to complaints or claims by one State against another, which must be resolved peacefully, including through recourse to the International Court of Justice, the principal organ of the United Nations. Any disruption of international trade by a Member State through the use or threat of force, without the proper and formal authorization of the Council, is equally incompatible with the Charter. As the Brazilian Government has subsequently emphasized, unilateral coercive measures have no basis in the Charter of the United Nations, much less can they be enforced through the use or threat of force. Solutions based on force are totally contrary to the best traditions and the firm, universal and irreversible commitment to peace adopted by Latin America and the Caribbean. We are, and want to remain, a region of peace, respectful of international law and good neighbourly relations. In view of the foregoing, the military force assembled and maintained by the United States in the vicinity of Venezuela and the recently announced naval blockade are violations of the Charter of the United Nations. Therefore, they must cease immediately and unconditionally in favour of the use of widely available political and legal instruments. Brazil invites both countries to engage in genuine dialogue, in good faith and without coercion. As President Lula has already stated publicly, his Government will be willing to cooperate, if necessary and with the mutual consent of the United States and Venezuela. Brazil will also be willing to support any efforts by the Secretary-General in the same direction. The issue that brings us together today is not of interest only to the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. It concerns the entire international community, since, ultimately, the outbreak of conflict in the region could have global repercussions. It is the responsibility of the Security Council, all its members and all peace-loving States to work tirelessly, without fear or other motivations, to ensure that the differences we are discussing today are resolved peacefully.

I now give the floor to the representative of Paraguay.

The delegation of the Republic of Paraguay thanks the presidency and Council members for the opportunity to take the floor. The issue before us today is one of great importance and sensitivity, especially given the efforts being made by the region both to sustain democratically elected Governments and to combat transnational organized crime, money laundering, human trafficking, cybercrime and drug trafficking, which claim countless innocent lives and destroy entire communities on our continent and around the world. Democracy is built day by day, which is why we cannot forget the situation in Venezuela, whose migration and security crisis is challenging our countries’ capacity to respond and even threatening the stability of the entire region. Let us be clear: the suffering of the Venezuelan people is a direct consequence of the actions and measures of the regime that governs that country and not of external factors or third parties. The restoration of democratic institutions in that country and the possibility of legitimately elected authorities assuming their functions would be an act of justice and an essential step towards regional stability. In this regard, Paraguay wishes to state with absolute clarity that we will not support or endorse actions that jeopardize democracy, respect for human rights or constitutional order in our region. We are, and will remain, committed to democratic principles, the rule of law and social peace. In Oslo, just a few weeks ago, Paraguay was present at the highest level at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, accompanying the relatives of María Corina Machado. The Venezuelan cause is one that affects us deeply, as it is a people that has seen its rights and freedoms decimated under a bloody dictatorial regime. Venezuela is not a problem for Venezuelans alone, but rather it is, and must be, a problem for the whole world and the region in particular. We therefore express our solidarity with María Corina and, through her, with the entire Venezuelan people. We are confident that peace and freedom will come to Venezuela sooner rather than later. Lastly, we underscore that the fight against organized crime must continue to be carried out in the framework of international humanitarian law and with the coordination of mechanisms for the defence of democracy, the fundamental principles of international law and the unrestricted protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, all of which are essential elements for the process of regional integration, development and prosperity. Paraguay will continue to work in collaboration with all those regional actors with whom we share these values of democracy and peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

Mexico welcomes this meeting of the Security Council to examine the situation arising from the growing tensions surrounding Venezuela. When international peace is threatened, it is incumbent on the Council to assume its responsibility and take action, always in strict accordance with international law. Latin America and the Caribbean have historically been characterized as a zone of peace, built on mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use and threat of force. The recent escalation of tensions and the deployment of military forces in the southern Caribbean Sea are acts that jeopardize regional stability. It is imperative to preserve our space for peaceful coexistence, not only as a regional aspiration but also as a concrete and valuable contribution to international peace. In accordance with Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, no dispute among States should be resolved through the threat or use of force. History shows that the threat or use of force invariably leads to greater human suffering and the erosion of the international legal order. Based on the constitutional principles of Mexico’s foreign policy, in particular non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the prohibition of the threat or use of force in international relations and the struggle for international peace and security, we firmly reiterate that, regardless of the country or region in question, dialogue and negotiation are the only legitimate and effective ways to resolve existing differences in the long term. Since 2019, the Mexican State has maintained a firm stance in favour of a peaceful, democratic and negotiated solution to the situation in Venezuela, always in a framework of unrestricted respect for human rights. In accordance with the constitutional principles of our foreign policy, Mexico reiterates that it is exclusively up to the Venezuelan people to determine their political future. We therefore make an unequivocal and urgent call to all parties to prioritize diplomatic channels, act with restraint and caution and avoid measures that could aggravate the situation. At a time when the value of multilateralism and the United Nations itself is being tested, it is essential to resort to the mechanisms provided for in Article 33 of the Charter of the United Nations, aimed at conflict prevention and peaceful settlement of disputes. We also hope that the Council will be able to guide and channel these peace efforts, in fulfilment of its mandate. We also urge the Secretary-General to use his good offices to help to de-escalate tensions, promote trust among the parties, facilitate dialogue and create conditions conducive to a peaceful and sustainable solution that is in accordance with international law. Lastly, as President Claudia Sheinbaum has already stated publicly, Mexico reiterates its willingness to assist, as we have done in the past and if requested, any effort to facilitate dialogue, mediation or support that helps to preserve regional peace and avoid a confrontation with unpredictable consequences.

I now give the floor to the representative of Cuba.

Just eight days ago, Cuba denounced in this body the dangerous escalation of aggression by the Government of the United States against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (see S/PV.10067 (Resumption 1)), which constitutes a flagrant violation of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and Article 2 in particular, regarding the sovereign equality of States, the prohibition of the threat or use of force, non-intervention in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of international disputes. It also violates numerous resolutions of the General Assembly, in particular resolution 2625 (XXV) on the principles of international law concerning friendly relations and cooperation among States; resolution 3314 (XXIX), which defines the blockade of the ports or coasts of a State by the armed forces of another State as an act of aggression; resolution 2131 (XX) on the inadmissibility of intervention in the domestic affairs of States and the protection of their independence and sovereignty; resolutions 79/144 and 80/110 on the safety and security of maritime transport and freedom of navigation; and the relevant resolutions of the International Maritime Organization. It also contravenes numerous General Assembly resolutions on measures to eliminate international terrorism and Security Council resolutions on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. In less than a month, the United States armed forces have committed three acts of piracy and maritime terrorism against oil tankers and their crews in international waters in the Caribbean Sea, in addition to declaring a naval blockade against Venezuela. The irresponsible actions of the United States Government seem to know no bounds. It imposes the application of the law outside its territory and far from its shores, where it has no jurisdiction, using violence and the appropriation of assets. This is part of the United States escalation to prevent Venezuela’s legitimate right to freely use and trade its natural resources with other nations, including hydrocarbon supplies to Cuba. These actions have a negative impact on Cuba and intensify the United States policy of maximum pressure and economic suffocation, with a direct impact on the national energy system and, consequently, on the daily lives of our people. We reiterate that the United States Government seriously disregards and violates international law, the established regime of the law of the sea, freedom of navigation and trade, and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. As if that were not enough, the United States arbitrarily, fraudulently and unilaterally, and motivated politically, designated the legitimate Government of Venezuela as a foreign terrorist organization. This confirms the lack of credibility of its decisions and the manipulation of terrorism as a political weapon. What moral authority does the United States Government have to make these designations when it protects and finances terrorist organizations on its territory, refuses to cooperate with neighbouring countries, such as Cuba, on matters of terrorism and openly talks about covert actions and sabotage by the Central Intelligence Agency against Venezuelan infrastructure? They are only seeking to isolate the Bolivarian and Chavista revolution internationally, increase pressure and escalate aggression, with unpredictable consequences for peace, security and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, and to expand the meagre support for their illegal attacks. It is hypocritical that the country with the largest drug market in the world, from whose territory this criminal business is financed, should promote a war to supposedly combat this scourge in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is clear that its purpose is to justify the costly and extraordinary military deployment in the region, with which it intends to attack Venezuela and impose its hegemonic domination in the hemisphere. We alert the international community to these provocations, which seek to further escalate the aggression against Venezuelan territory and seize its natural resources. Venezuela and any other State under attack has the right to self-defence, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter. All this is in addition to unilateral coercive measures, economic suffocation, smear campaigns and attacks against important institutions of the country, which are part of the psychological warfare and increased pressure by the United States Government to overthrow the Venezuelan Government. The new United States national security strategy, which includes the so-called Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, aimed at enforcing the idea that the western hemisphere is its exclusive zone of influence, while validating the dangerous doctrine of peace through strength and enshrining cognitive warfare as State policy, reflects the enormous challenges facing humankind and, in particular, the Latin American and Caribbean region. The current United States Administration and its projection towards the region violates the precepts of the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. The policy of the big stick and gunboat diplomacy, with its criminal record of aggression and abuses against peoples, belongs to our region’s past. We cannot allow it to be our future. We reiterate our call to the international community to stop this escalation against a sovereign State. The grandiose, exaggerated and unjustified deployment of United States naval forces in the Caribbean Sea, together with the deliberate threat of military aggression against the Bolivarian nation, has unpredictable consequences for the political, social and economic stability of the entire region. This reveals a hegemonic and criminal intent and demands universal condemnation. We reject the renewal of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures by the European Union against Venezuela as contrary to international law and the Charter of the United Nations. They seek to increase pressure on the Venezuelan Government and are aligned with the aggressive and neocolonialist interests of the United States. Cuba reaffirms its total and unwavering support for constitutional President Nicolás Maduro and the Bolivarian and Chavista revolution and its civil-military union. We demand unrestricted respect for Venezuela’s sovereignty, independence and right to freely decide its destiny, without external interference. This is not the first time that attempts have been made to subjugate Latin America and the Caribbean in line with hegemonic pretensions. We are convinced that neither will it be the last time that the peoples of the region will be able to determine their future and advocate for their legitimate right to live in peace.

I now give the floor to the representative of Nicaragua.

Nicaragua expresses its full, unwavering, fraternal and militant solidarity with the constitutional Government of President Nicolás Maduro Moros — we stand with our comrades — with the Chavista and Bolivarian people and with the Bolivarian national armed forces of Venezuela. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela must be respected. It is an integral part of our Latin American and Caribbean region. Its struggle is our struggle. We recognize its unwavering resistance in the face of imperial machinery and honour the memory of Commander Hugo Chávez, whose legacy of sovereignty and unity beats strongly in the heart of the entire homeland. We reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan Government and people who are resisting in the face of the threats and attacks of imperialism. Their struggle for peace, justice and the right to build their own destiny is a cause we take on as our own. Nicaragua categorically denounces acts of modern piracy, in this case the plundering of Venezuela’s resources. We denounce these thefts, the hijacking of oil tankers and the plundering of financial assets as an attack on the sovereignty of the Venezuelan people and a dangerous threat to the peace and stability of all Latin America and the Caribbean, with catastrophic consequences for global trade and shipping. We strongly condemn the ongoing and intensified attacks and hostilities against Venezuela, which have resulted in a criminal economic blockade and a hybrid war designed to inflict maximum suffering on its civilian population. These deliberate actions seek to provoke the collapse of a sovereign nation in order to impose, through force, intimidation and starvation, a docile and servile Government that serves selfish foreign interests. We demand the immediate cessation of the United States military deployment in our region of Latin America and the Caribbean. This pirate military presence is a direct threat to the security of our nations. These policies of aggression are a blatant attempt to change legitimately and democratically elected Governments. We demand an end to the imperialist and colonizing actions of the United States in our region and urge the international community to preserve and respect the spirit and fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, such as refraining from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity and political independence of any State, non-intervention, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the sovereign equality of States. Venezuelans want peace. We demand respect for the dignity and sovereignty of their country, their inalienable right to freely trade their natural resources. We call for an immediate end to all illegal unilateral coercive measures, which undermine the stability of the region and constitute collective punishment, prohibited by international law. Nicaragua joins the call made by the constitutional President, Nicolás Maduro Moros, and world leaders of conscience, condemning these acts and demanding the activation of all necessary multilateral mechanisms to investigate, punish and prevent these acts of piracy and economic aggression. The Security Council and the United Nations as a whole have the duty of safeguarding international peace and security. They cannot be a passive spectator while a Member State is plundered. Nicaragua knows that the unity of peoples is more powerful than hegemonic, imperial pretensions. Solidarity with Venezuela is the moral duty and the political obligation of those who are building this multipolar, just and sovereign world. We reaffirm that Nicaragua will walk alongside our Venezuelan brothers and sisters in the defence of their homeland. Venezuela is not alone. To conclude, we reaffirm that defending Venezuelan sovereignty means defending the Charter of the United Nations, international law, the principle of non-intervention and self-determination and the right of all peoples to forge their own destiny, free from foreign coercion and the threat or use of force in international relations.

The representative of the United States of America has asked for the floor to make a further statement.

The illegitimate Maduro regime has displayed little to no political will to counter drug-related threats and curb drug trafficking in Venezuela. In fact, it has facilitated the illicit production and distribution of narcotics, creating conditions that have allowed drug traffickers and other transnational criminal organizations to operate with impunity. It is necessary, for the national security of the United States, to act aggressively against these narcotraffickers, as traditional drug interdiction methods have proven ineffective at stopping the flow. The United States will continue to take decisive actions to weaken the illegitimate regime and deny Maduro and his cronies access to illicit revenues. This includes profits from the sale of oil. As Secretary Rubio said just last week, the goal here is to bring security and stability to the hemisphere, to the region — the region in which we live, which has not received enough attention — to bring the elements of American power to achieve that, to do it in partnership with as many countries as are willing to work with us in that regard. That is the goal.

The representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has asked for the floor to make a further statement. I believe he made his messages very clear in his previous statement, so I will give him the floor one more time. But I will ask him to be brief.

The Government of the United States of America is recalcitrant in its stance of disregard for international law and overt mendacity vis-à-vis the state of affairs in Venezuela. What does a Venezuelan oil tanker have to do with drugs? Absolutely nothing. What is more, it is preposterous to think that oil revenues are being used to finance drugs. It is equally insane to repeat that here, and propaganda only amplifies it. The United States Government claims to be fighting drugs and yet has pardoned the foremost drug trafficker of Latin America, who was incarcerated in the United States, after being found to have trafficked more than 400 tons. Nonetheless, he has just been released. That is how the United States combats drugs. The Government of the United States is doing nothing to stop its massive public health crisis, while many of the drugs sold in the United States are being manufactured by laboratories within the country, many of which are major pharmaceutical corporations. Moreover, when they say that fentanyl is a weapon of mass destruction, the intention is to rehash the line taken during the invasion of Iraq, when the idea of weapons of mass destruction was dreamed up to brainwash the general public into accepting an armed attack against Venezuela. What we have seen here is that the Government of the United States lacks jurisdiction over the Caribbean. When it states that it will work in concert with the countries of the region to tackle the drug issue, it promptly ignores them, crushes them and tries to assert its power in international waters, murdering innocent civilians. Combating drugs does not involve using military forces and the law of war against innocent civilians. Most importantly, the smokescreen cleared when the United States said that it wanted the entire Venezuelan oil industry. Mr. Stephen Miller said as much in stating that we must give them back our land, our mines, our rare earth materials and our oil. What does that have to do with drugs? Conquest, pillaging and destruction are the goal. The recolonization of Venezuela is the goal. The reconquest of the entire continent is the goal. Such is the infamous and ignominious Monroe Doctrine, which we thought had ended 150 years ago. All those present here are confronting a massive violation of international law in its entirety and an immoral and shameful proposition that we cannot accept. Let us do away with the lies. Let us work on the basis of truth and diplomacy.