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Venezuela has urged the United Nations Security Council to declare recent United States airstrikes on vessels off its coast illegal and to issue a statement affirming the country’s sovereignty.
The appeal follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s order for a significant military buildup in the southern Caribbean, where American forces have reportedly conducted at least five strikes on what Washington claims were drug-trafficking vessels—without providing supporting evidence.
According to a letter sent to the 15-member Security Council by Venezuela’s U.N. Ambassador, Samuel Moncada, the attacks killed at least 27 people aboard “civilian vessels transiting international waters.”
Moncada called on the council to “investigate” the incidents, determine their “illegal nature,” and reaffirm the principles of “sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity” for all states, including Venezuela.
In Caracas, President Nicolás Maduro condemned the strikes and accused the United States of authorising the CIA to carry out operations aimed at destabilising Venezuela.
He said, “While the CIA has long been linked to coups around the world, no previous government had publicly stated it ordered the CIA to ‘kill, overthrow, and destroy countries.’ But our people are clear, united, and aware. They have the means to once again defeat this open conspiracy against the peace and stability of Venezuela.”
Despite Venezuela’s appeal, the Security Council is unlikely to take any concrete action, as the United States holds veto power.
The council had previously convened last week to discuss the rising tensions, following a request made jointly by Venezuela, Russia, and China.
