UN Security Council briefed on Venezuela crisis
發佈日期: 2025-12-24 22:30
TVB News
The United Nations Security Council was briefed on the situation off the coast of Venezuela where United States forces have been targeting and destroying vessels it alleges are smuggling drugs.
Venezuela's envoy to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, accused the US of wanting to annex his country.
He cited President Donald Trump as saying the US would unleash the greatest navy in history and force Venezuela to hand over national treasures.
This is the greatest extortion known in our history, he said, a gigantic crime of aggression, beyond all rational parameters, all legal logic, and all historical precedent.
US ambassador Mike Waltz responded by saying Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is a fugitive and Washington is targeting drug cartels.
"Let me begin by stating and reiterating the United States does not recognise Nicolas Maduro or his cronies as the legitimate government of Venezuela," said Waltz. "Nicolas Maduro is a fugitive from American justice and the head of the foreign terrorist organisation cartel de la Solis.
"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 UN Assistant Secretary-General called for de-escalation.
"US actions have received support from some regional allies," said Mohamed Khaled Khiarun. "But other member states within and beyond the region have voiced concern over the militarisation 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."
One analyst in international affairs said the US may be preparing for military strikes on Venezuela.
"These boats would normally be seized," said Dr Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow at Chatham House. "People would be tried in a court of law. Instead, they're simply blowing them up in international waters. If Maduro manages to hang on, which would have serious consequences for the people of Venezuela, then the next step could quite possibly be military strikes inside Venezuela."
