The United Nations Security Council debated the escalating US aggression against Venezuela on Tuesday, in a session where Russia presented a strong denunciation of what it called a “blatant blockade” and interference that threatens regional peace and violates international law.

During the meeting, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, stated that Washington is destroying civilian vessels in the Caribbean Sea under the illicit pretext of combating drug trafficking, a justification that Moscow considers “artificial” and intended to exacerbate tensions against a sovereign state.

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The Russian diplomat emphasized that the White House has “dusted off the practice of fighting terrorism as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of other states,” by labeling the legitimate government of Venezuela a terrorist organization.

Nebenzia rejected the notion that the unilateral US decision transforms its actions into legitimate law enforcement or national defense activities. He criticized what he called “US pseudo-legal tricks,” stating that they are “untenable and incompatible with international law.”

In this regard, he cited the US president’s December 16 statement as clear evidence of the violation of fundamental norms, asserting that it “requires no further interpretation.”

The Russian representative maintained that the main objective of these actions is “to seize the natural and mineral resources of another state” through political, military, and economic pressure to overthrow a government deemed “undesirable” by Washington. He described these actions as “totally unacceptable” and contrary to the UN Charter, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Security Council resolutions.

Nebenzia warned that the US blockade of Venezuela’s coasts constitutes an act of aggression, the “catastrophic consequences” of which will be Washington’s responsibility. Furthermore, he pointed out that these actions are not isolated, but rather part of a strategy that could become a model for future military interventions in Latin America, in line with what Russia calls the “Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine.”

According to the diplomat, this policy would be applied against those states that seek to maintain a sovereign policy and autonomously determine their political, economic, and cultural systems.

“Washington will not respect their independence and autonomy, nor will it take their interests into account if they wish to do otherwise,” he declared.

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In concluding his remarks, Nebenzia reaffirmed Russia’s full solidarity with the Venezuelan people and their president, Nicolás Maduro, whom he described as a defender of national sovereignty.

He also urged the international community to uphold international law and lamented the U.S. refusal to cooperate with Caracas in the fight against genuine terrorism.

Moscow hopes that “common sense” will prevail to avoid a “fatal mistake” with global consequences, the European diplomat concluded.

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