Venezuela has warned the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that the United States is preparing “an immoral and illegal military threat” against the South American nation, raising fears of escalation in the Caribbean.
Addressing UN member states on Friday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto accused Washington of plotting military aggression under the guise of anti-drug operations.
He said his country was grateful to governments and people around the world “that are speaking out against this attempt to bring war to the Caribbean and South America.”
Pinto stressed that US actions are aimed at enabling “external powers to rob Venezuela’s immeasurable oil and gas wealth.”
US accused of using “perverse lies”
The minister said Washington is using “vulgar and perverse lies” to justify what he described as “an atrocious, extravagant and immoral multibillion-dollar military threat.”
His remarks followed an NBC News report that US military officials are drafting plans to conduct airstrikes on alleged drug traffickers inside Venezuela.
Trump defends military strikes
Last week, US President Donald Trump confirmed that American forces carried out a third strike targeting a vessel he claimed was “trafficking illicit narcotics.”
The attacks, which have killed at least 17 people, sparked legal and ethical concerns. Experts argue the strikes on foreign boats in international waters may be unlawful.
Meanwhile, both UN and US data suggest Venezuela is not a major source of cocaine entering the US, contradicting Trump’s claims.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, speaking at the UNGA, demanded a criminal process be opened against Trump over the attacks.
He noted that Venezuelans killed in the incidents had not been convicted of any crimes, calling the strikes unjustified.
US military presence expands in Caribbean
The US has deployed eight warships to international waters off Venezuela’s coast, supported by F-35 fighter jets stationed in Puerto Rico. Washington insists the operation is part of its anti-drug strategy.
However, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, accused by the Trump administration of drug trafficking charges he denies, has rejected dialogue offers from Washington.
Maduro has instead ordered nationwide military drills starting Saturday to test “the people’s readiness for natural catastrophes or any armed conflict.”
The US actions have also alarmed Venezuelan fishermen, who say they now fear venturing too far from shore.
“It’s very upsetting because our country is peaceful, our fishermen are peaceful,” said Joan Diaz, a 46-year-old fisherman from Caraballeda.
Luis Garcia, who represents some 4,000 fishers in the La Guaira region, described the situation as “madness.”
“We have nine-, 10-, 12-metre fishing boats against vessels that have missiles. Imagine the madness, my God!” he told AFP.
Despite their concerns, Garcia vowed Venezuelan fishermen would not be intimidated.
“We will continue to go out to the Caribbean Sea that belongs to us,” he said.
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