UN legal types are calling out a US naval blockade. Experts from the United Nations stated that American actions near Venezuela break international law. The situation involves a partial maritime blockade by the US against Venezuela, specifically targeting oil tankers. This started with the seizure of a tanker off the Venezuelan coast after an order from US President Donald Trump. He later declared a total blockade of all sanctioned vessels going in and out of the country on Truth Social, following a military buildup in the Caribbean.
These UN experts called the blockade a prohibited use of force, illegal under the UN Charter. They labeled it armed aggression, citing a 1974 General Assembly definition. The experts argued that enforcing unilateral sanctions with military power is not allowed. They said this use of force, along with threats of more, seriously risks human rights like the right to life for people in Venezuela and the surrounding region. The context includes the US labeling the Venezuelan president and parts of its government a foreign terrorist organization called Cartel de los Soles, though experts question that group's actual existence.
The experts also pointed to deadly US Navy strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking, which killed 104 people. The UN counted 28 of these attacks on civilian vessels. They stated these killings violate the right to life and demand investigation and accountability. They urged the US Congress to step in, stop further attacks, and end the blockade. The experts encouraged other nations to act through diplomatic protests, UN General Assembly resolutions, and peaceful countermeasures to uphold international law. They emphasized that respecting sovereignty, non-intervention, and peaceful dispute settlement is key to global peace.
These UN experts called the blockade a prohibited use of force, illegal under the UN Charter. They labeled it armed aggression, citing a 1974 General Assembly definition. The experts argued that enforcing unilateral sanctions with military power is not allowed. They said this use of force, along with threats of more, seriously risks human rights like the right to life for people in Venezuela and the surrounding region. The context includes the US labeling the Venezuelan president and parts of its government a foreign terrorist organization called Cartel de los Soles, though experts question that group's actual existence.
The experts also pointed to deadly US Navy strikes on ships suspected of drug trafficking, which killed 104 people. The UN counted 28 of these attacks on civilian vessels. They stated these killings violate the right to life and demand investigation and accountability. They urged the US Congress to step in, stop further attacks, and end the blockade. The experts encouraged other nations to act through diplomatic protests, UN General Assembly resolutions, and peaceful countermeasures to uphold international law. They emphasized that respecting sovereignty, non-intervention, and peaceful dispute settlement is key to global peace.
