At the UNGA, Venezuela warns of the US’s “immoral military threat.”
Fears of escalation in the Caribbean have been raised by Venezuela’s warning to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that the United States is planning “an immoral and illegal military threat” against the South American country.
In a Friday speech to UN members, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto charged Washington with preparing a military invasion disguised as anti-drug operations.
Governments and individuals worldwide “that are speaking out against this attempt to bring war to the Caribbean and South America” are appreciated by his nation, he said.
The US moves, Pinto emphasized, are intended to allow “external powers to rob Venezuela’s immeasurable oil and gas wealth.”
The US is charged with spreading “perverse lies.”
According to the minister, Washington is defending “an atrocious, extravagant, and immoral multibillion-dollar military threat” with “vulgar and perverse lies.”
His comments came after NBC News revealed that US military officials are planning airstrikes against suspected drug smugglers inside Venezuela.
Trump defends the use of force.
The third strike by US Marines against a vessel he said was “trafficking illicit narcotics” was confirmed by US President Donald Trump last week.
At least 17 individuals have been killed in the attacks, raising moral and legal questions. According to experts, the attacks on foreign vessels in international seas might be illegal.
In contrast to Trump’s assertions, both US and UN data indicate that Venezuela is not a significant supplier of cocaine into the US.
Speaking at the UNGA, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for the opening of a criminal investigation against Trump in connection with the assaults.
He called the strikes unjustified and pointed out that the Venezuelans murdered in the incidents had not been found guilty of any crimes.
The Caribbean sees an increase in US military presence
With the assistance of F-35 fighter jets based in Puerto Rico, the US has sent eight warships to international waters off the coast of Venezuela. According to Washington, the operation is a component of its anti-drug policy.
But Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, has turned off Washington’s offers of talks despite being charged by the Trump administration with drug trafficking, which he disputes.
In order to assess “the people’s readiness for natural catastrophes or any armed conflict,” Maduro has instead mandated statewide military exercises to begin on Saturday.
Venezuelan fisherman said they are now afraid to go too far from shore as a result of the US measures.
According to Joan Diaz, a 46-year-old Caraballeda fisherman, “it’s very upsetting because our country is peaceful, and our fishermen are peaceful.”
The scenario is “madness,” according to Luis Garcia, who represents about 4,000 fishermen in the La Guaira region.
In contrast to ships equipped with missiles, we have fishing boats that are nine, ten, and twelve meters long. “My God, imagine the madness!” he said to AFP.
Garcia promised that Venezuelan fisherman would not be frightened in spite of their worries.
He declared, “We will keep going out to the Caribbean Sea that is ours.”