Venezuela Appeals to UN Over Deadly US Strikes at Sea

Venezuela has formally asked the United Nations Security Council to condemn recent US strikes on vessels off its coast, calling them illegal and a violation of its sovereignty. In a letter dated Wednesday, Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada said the strikes, ordered under the Trump administration, had killed at least 27 people on “civilian vessels transiting international waters.” Venezuela’s appeal to the UN highlights the growing tensions between Caracas and Washington in the southern Caribbean.

The US strikes, which the Trump administration claims target vessels involved in drug trafficking, have drawn sharp condemnation from Venezuela. Moncada urged the Security Council to “investigate the illegal nature” of the attacks and issue a statement reaffirming the “principle of unrestricted respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of states,” explicitly citing Venezuela. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro echoed these concerns, accusing the CIA of orchestrating operations that threaten the peace and stability of his country. He claimed that previous US administrations had engaged in covert activities, but no government had publicly authorized the CIA to “kill, overthrow, and destroy countries” as openly as now.

The UN Security Council faces limitations in responding to Venezuela’s request due to the veto power held by the United States. While the council has convened to discuss the situation at Venezuela’s request, along with support from Russia and China, no substantive action can be taken without US approval. The United States justifies its strikes under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows countries to act in self-defense against armed attacks. US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated that Trump is using the intelligence community, defense department, and diplomacy to “defend US sovereignty against actions that are actively killing Americans,” framing the operations as defensive rather than offensive.

Venezuela has intensified its diplomatic campaign to rally international support, arguing that the US strikes violate international law and threaten civilian lives. The Venezuelan government insists that the UN Security Council should formally recognize the strikes as illegal and reaffirm Venezuela’s sovereignty. Amid mounting tensions, President Maduro stressed the unity of the Venezuelan people, declaring that they have the capacity to “defeat this open conspiracy against the peace and stability of Venezuela.”

Analysts note that the ongoing dispute between the US and Venezuela reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean region. The US military buildup and repeated strikes have heightened concerns among neighboring countries and international observers about regional stability. By bringing the matter to the UN, Venezuela aims to generate diplomatic pressure on Washington and draw global attention to what it calls the unlawful targeting of civilian vessels in international waters.

Venezuela’s request to the UN comes at a time when both nations are deeply entrenched in disputes over regional influence, international law, and the protection of civilians at sea. The world is now watching to see how the UN Security Council, constrained by the US veto, will navigate these complex issues while addressing Venezuela’s repeated calls for recognition of its sovereignty.