“Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on high alert since US military deployments were first reported in August,” he said, noting that President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian Militia to support the armed forces.
Jenča said that according to US authorities, the attacks targeted ships in international waters carrying illegal drugs bound for the United States. Eleven people were reportedly killed in the first attack on September 2, and subsequent operations brought the total death toll to 21.
The exact locations of the incidents have not been publicly revealed and the UN cannot independently verify these reports.
Trading accusations
Jenča stated that Washington has defended its actions as consistent with the laws governing armed conflict and necessary to protect American citizens from the flow of illicit drugs from South and Central America.
“A White House spokesman said ‘the president acted in accordance with the law of armed conflict,’ seeking to protect the United States ‘from those seeking to bring deadly poison’ to its shores,” he told the Security Council.
Venezuelan officials, however, view the attacks as a provocation and a violation of sovereignty.
Venezuela’s Permanent Representative to the UN wrote to the Security Council on October 9 stating that the “ulterior purpose” of the United States’ actions remains to “advance its regime change policies.”
Caracas has also reported overflights of US warplanes near its coast and the detention of a fishing boat in Venezuelan waters, while Washington said two Venezuelan military planes flew over a US Navy ship in international waters.
Under Secretary-General Jenča briefs the Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.
Repeated calls for moderation
The UN has repeatedly called on both sides to exercise restraint and resolve differences through peaceful means.
Ms. Jenča emphasized that efforts to combat drug trafficking “must be carried out in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations,” and that any use of force to combat illicit trafficking must respect human rights standards.
“The United Nations recognizes the devastating impact of violence driven by transnational organized crime, affecting countries of production, transit and destination alike,” Jenča said.
“We continue to highlight the need for all efforts to combat transnational organized crime to be carried out in accordance with international law.”
He said the UN would continue to support diplomatic dialogue and measures to prevent further escalation, and called on both Washington and Caracas to prioritize de-escalation and constructive engagement.