Big news this Friday: the UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting next Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 3 pm, to discuss Venezuela's latest clash with the U.S. over an oil blockade. Venezuela's UN mission says this move by President Donald Trump breaches international law and threatens Caracas's sovereignty ⛔.
Backstory: On December 17, Venezuela asked the UNSC to step in, calling U.S. actions 'aggression' and accusing Trump of violating its national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. Tensions have been ramping up in recent months as the U.S. boosts its military footprint in the Caribbean, citing an anti-drug trafficking mission that Caracas rejects as a pressure campaign.
Last week, U.S. forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker and struck vessels tied to alleged drug smuggling—operations that reportedly killed over 90 people. Then on Wednesday, Trump announced a full blockade of 'sanctioned oil vessels' heading to and from Venezuela, claiming its oil revenue fuels 'drug terrorism' and human trafficking. Venezuela calls these claims baseless and labels the blockade 'crude piracy.'
Even the Russian Foreign Ministry weighed in, urging the U.S. to avoid 'fatal mistakes' in Latin America and backing Maduro's government to defend its national interests. Moscow stressed the Caribbean should stay a zone of peace 🤝🌍.
What's next? Watch for the UNSC's response on Dec. 23. Will members press Washington to ease the blockade, or back Caracas's call for international law to prevail? Stay tuned for updates! 🔍
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UNSC to meet on Venezuela as Caracas denounces U.S. oil blockade
cgtn.com
