Special rapporteurs warn naval actions violate international law and threaten human rights.
In statements issued on Dec. 24, four United Nations experts condemned the partial maritime blockade imposed by the United States against Venezuela.
RELATED:
China Condemns U.S. Actions Against Venezuela at UN Security Council
Ben Saul, special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms; George Katrougalos, independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Surya Deva, special rapporteur on the right to development; and Gina Romero, special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, warned that the U.S. blockade constitutes a violation of the most basic norms of international law.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. This unilateral measure is being backed by a large military force deployed in the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela.
“There is no right to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade,” the UN experts said, recalling that a blockade is a prohibited use of military force against another country under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.
It’s not about drugs, it’s not about democracy — Trump’s blockade is about stealing Venezuela’s oil!
Trump isn’t even trying to hide it anymore. He just announced what amounts to a massive campaign of piracy with the explicit goal of looting Venezuela’s natural resources. And… pic.twitter.com/FbEyAkdaJs
— Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) December 17, 2025
“It is such a serious use of force that it is also expressly recognized as illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly’s 1974 Definition of Aggression. As such, it is an armed attack under Article 51 of the Charter — in principle giving the victim state a right of self-defense,” they said.
“The illegal use of force, and threats to use further force at sea and on land, gravely endanger the human right to life and other rights in Venezuela and the region,” the experts warned.
Aggression is a crime subject to universal jurisdiction under international law, which gives all countries the power to prosecute it, although the most senior government leaders retain immunity from foreign prosecution while still in office.
“There are serious concerns that the sanctions are unlawful, disproportionate and punitive under international law, and that they have seriously undermined the human rights of the Venezuelan people and the Sustainable Development Goals,” the experts said.
In November, Washington designated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and other senior officials as alleged members of the so-called “Cartel of the Suns.”
Labeled by Trump as a “foreign terrorist organization,” this cartel does not exist, as evidenced by reports from U.S. security agencies themselves. The harassment of the Bolivarian nation has not stopped there, however, as U.S. actions have generated an atmosphere of insecurity and abuses in the Caribbean.
Trump last week said the quiet part out loud when he admitted his “total blockade” of Venezuela was about taking the country’s oil. But as @manolo_realengo explains, the majority of people in Venezuela are ready to defend their homeland.
Watch the Socialist Program on BTNews. pic.twitter.com/72YYRMl1C5
— BreakThrough News (@BTnewsroom) December 22, 2025
Since September, U.S. forces have been involved in 28 attacks on civilian vessels in which at least 104 people — who posed no immediate threat to U.S. security — were killed, allegedly for involvement in international drug trafficking.
“These killings amount to violations of the right to life. They must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress should intervene to prevent further attacks and lift the blockade,” the experts said.
They called on states to urgently take all feasible measures to stop the blockade and the illegal killings — including through diplomatic protests, General Assembly resolutions and peaceful countermeasures — and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Collective action by states is essential to uphold international law. Respect for the rule of law, sovereignty, nonuse of force, nonintervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes are essential to preserving peace and stability worldwide.”
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Venezuela: Foreign Minister Yvan Gil informed that he received a phone call from his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi. pic.twitter.com/kY5pmbuss6
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) December 24, 2025
teleSUR/ JF
Source: OHCHR
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.