The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has urgently requested a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. This plea comes in response to what Venezuela describes as an imminent threat of an “armed attack” by the United States.
Context of the Request
This request was sent in a letter to the current president of the Security Council, Vassily A. Nebenzia of Russia. Venezuela’s diplomatic outreach has been swift amid rising tensions that have escalated over the past eight weeks. The U.S. has been conducting naval deployments in the Caribbean, citing a fight against drug trafficking as the reason.
Concerns Over U.S. Military Intentions
- The Maduro administration believes that this military presence signals an aggression against Venezuela.
- President Donald Trump has focused his efforts on combating what he labels Venezuelan drug cartels.
- In September, Maduro reached out to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, urging containment of escalating hostilities.
In its recent correspondence, Venezuela warned that credible and objective information suggests a potential U.S. armed attack could occur soon. The letter emphasizes the need for the Security Council to assess the “existence of a threat to peace” and to recommend actions to curb aggressive American plans.
Allegations Against Maduro
The U.S. accuses President Maduro of heading the “Cartel of the Suns,” which it has labeled a terrorist organization linked to drug trafficking. Maduro’s government has consistently denied these allegations, characterizing them as false and intended to foster regime change through intimidation.
Trump’s Statements Raise Alarms
Venezuela highlighted three specific remarks by President Trump that raised alarms within its administration:
- On September 22, Trump indicated his willingness to use military force against Maduro, referring to him in the context of Venezuelan drug traffickers.
- On October 3, he informed the U.S. Congress about a determination of an “international non-internal conflict” involving drug cartels.
- On October 4, Trump mentioned the need to “seek out” alleged Venezuelan drug traffickers on land, which Venezuela interprets as a direct threat to its sovereignty.
The Venezuelan government asserted that this looming aggression could have severe repercussions for peace and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.
