UN debates growing Caribbean crisis between US and Venezuela
UN Security Council meeting (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Venezuela convened an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to halt the escalation of US military activity in the Caribbean, according to the UN website.
The UN expressed concern over the growing confrontation between the US and Venezuela following reports of an expanded American military presence off the coast of South America, urging both sides to avoid any actions that could undermine regional stability.
This statement was made on October 10 at the UN Security Council by Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, North, and South America.
“Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on high alert since the United States military deployments were first reported in August,” he said.
According to US authorities, these deployments are aimed at stopping drug trafficking to the US and holding those responsible accountable.
However, the UN representative emphasized that this military presence has heightened existing tensions between the two countries.
US fight against drug cartels
He noted that on September 2, the US government announced that American forces had struck a vessel suspected of transporting illegal drugs in international waters of the southern Caribbean. According to US authorities, 11 people were killed in the attack.
He added that, based on information released by U.S. authorities, additional airstrikes on vessels suspected of carrying drugs had been carried out on September 15, 16, and 19, as well as on October 3, and that, in total, these operations had reportedly resulted in 21 deaths.
Jenča stressed that the United Nations had no means to verify this information.
Mobilization in Venezuela
He also noted that Venezuela has been on high alert since reports of US force deployments. On August 11, President Nicolás Maduro announced the mobilization of 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian militia and the conduct of military exercises along the country’s coast. On September 29, he signed a decree declaring a state of emergency, expanding the government’s security powers.
Jenča emphasized that the use of force in the fight against illegal drug trafficking must remain within international law and human rights standards, and that any military actions should be carried out strictly in accordance with the UN Charter.
He stressed that since August 21 the Secretary-General, through his representative, had been urging both sides to de-escalate tensions, exercise restraint, and resolve differences peacefully.
US–Venezuela relations
According to RBC-Ukraine, on October 6, US President Donald Trump suspended diplomatic contacts with Venezuela, ordering a halt to all negotiations with Nicolás Maduro’s government.
The Venezuelan president has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. seeks to remove him from power. He accused Washington of attempting to establish a puppet regime in the country and control its resources, including oil, gas, and gold.
In August 2025, the US announced a $50 million reward for information leading to Maduro’s arrest, accusing him of ties to drug cartels and terrorist organizations. Maduro categorically denied these allegations, stating that only 5% of drugs from Colombia pass through Venezuela, of which 70% were intercepted by Venezuelan forces.
