UN Experts Condemn US Naval Blockade of Venezuela as 'Illegal Armed Aggression'

Is it a counter-narcotics operation or an illegal act of war? Four United Nations human rights experts have offered a stark assessment, condemning the United States' partial naval blockade of Venezuela as an act of “illegal armed aggression.” The joint statement, released on Wednesday, December 24, follows a UN Security Council meeting on the US military actions.

'A Prohibited Use of Force'

The four experts, including Ben Saul, the special rapporteur on protecting human rights while countering “terrorism,” stated unequivocally that “there is no right to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade.” They argue the blockade is a prohibited use of military force under the UN Charter and is “expressly recognised as illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly’s 1974 Definition of Aggression.” The experts warned that these actions “gravely endanger the human right to life” in the region.

Washington vs. Caracas: Dueling Narratives

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The US has deployed significant military forces in the Caribbean, intercepting oil tankers and other vessels. President Donald Trump accuses Venezuela of using its oil revenue to finance “narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders and kidnappings.” In contrast, the government of Nicolas Maduro in Caracas denies any involvement in drug trafficking. It claims Washington's objective is to overthrow its government to seize the country's oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.

Over 100 Killed, Calls for US Congress to Act

Since September, US forces have launched dozens of air strikes on boats alleged to be transporting drugs, resulting in more than 100 deaths, according to AFP. The US has yet to provide evidence for these accusations. “These killings amount to violations of the right to life,” the UN experts said, demanding an investigation. They directly called on the “US Congress to intervene to prevent further attacks and lift the blockade.”