On October 10, U.N. Security Council members raised alarms over the mounting tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Russia’s U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, criticized Washington for adopting a “shoot-first” approach against alleged drug vessels, suggesting that Venezuela has justifiable fears of U.S. military action based on recent events.
Countries such as France, Greece, and Denmark, allies of the U.S., called for peaceful dialogue and adherence to international law amidst escalating threats. Recently, the U.S. has targeted vessels reported to be transporting drugs off Venezuela’s coast. U.S. representative John Kelly affirmed that the country would remain resolute in its efforts to counter narco-terrorism.
Nebenzia condemned the strikes as serious breaches of international law and human rights, claiming that boats were attacked without due process. He questioned the justification for labeling those on board as criminals after the fact. Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, expressed concern that the U.S. military presence in the region pointed to an impending armed attack against his country.
Panama’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Ricardo Moscoso, acknowledged regional challenges such as drug trafficking but emphasized that military solutions were inadequate. He advocated for coordinated strategies grounded in respect for international law to effectively combat transnational threats, echoing France’s call for multilateral efforts to tackle these issues while upholding human rights.
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