Background on Key Figures and Relevant Context
The United States, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has intensified its military presence in the region and announced a blockade on all tankers subject to US sanctions. This move aims to deprive Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime of resources, as well as disrupt the operations of drug trafficking groups.
Nicolás Maduro, who has been in power since 2013, faces increasing international pressure due to his controversial rule and the country’s worsening economic crisis. The US accuses Maduro of leading a drug trafficking organization called the “Cartel of the Suns,” which is responsible for illegally importing drugs into the United States.
US Actions and International Response
The US Coast Guard has intercepted two fully loaded oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea this month, both carrying Venezuelan crude oil. They are pursuing a third empty tanker approaching the coast of the OPEC member country.
Mike Pompeo, the US Ambassador to the UN, stated before the Security Council that “the most significant threat to this hemisphere, our own neighborhood, and the United States comes from transnational criminal and terrorist groups.” He emphasized that sanctioned tankers serve as the primary economic support for Maduro and his illegitimate regime, also funding the narco-terrorist group Cartel of the Suns.
The US designated the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization last month, accusing Maduro of leading it. However, the Venezuelan government dismissed this designation as “ridiculous” and claimed the group does not exist.
Russia’s UN Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, warned that this intervention could set a precedent for future acts of force against Latin American countries, citing Trump’s recent strategy document asserting US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
China urged the US to “immediately cease relevant actions and avoid further escalation” of tensions, as stated by Sun Lei, China’s Deputy UN Ambassador, during the Security Council meeting.
Venezuela’s Stance and UN Reactions
With the support of Russia and China, Venezuela requested the UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday, the second since tensions escalated. The council first met in October when the US justified its actions as consistent with UN Article 51, requiring immediate notification to the council of any self-defense measures against armed attack.
Samuel Moncada, Venezuela’s UN Ambassador, clarified that “there is no war in the Caribbean, nor any international or internal armed conflict,” making it absurd for the US to justify its actions by applying war rules.
“The threat is not Venezuela, but the US government,” Moncada asserted.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Nicolás Maduro? Nicolás Maduro has been the President of Venezuela since 2013. His rule has been marked by controversy and a deepening economic crisis in the country.
- What is the Cartel of the Suns? The Cartel of the Suns is a drug trafficking organization accused by the US of illegally importing drugs into the United States, led—according to the US—by Nicolás Maduro.
- What actions has the US taken against Maduro and drug cartels? The US has intensified its military presence in the region, intercepted oil tankers carrying Venezuelan crude, and designated the Cartel of the Suns as a foreign terrorist organization.
- How have other countries responded to these US actions? Russia and China have expressed concerns about potential escalation of tensions, while China urged the US to cease relevant actions. Venezuela, supported by Russia and China, has dismissed US justifications for its actions.
