US-Venezuela tensions: Russia slams 'shoot first’ policy; Trump backs strikes

UN Security Council members on Friday raised concerns over rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, with Russia sharply criticising Washington’s recent military actions in the Caribbean, reports news agency Reuters.

Russia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, told the 15-member council that Venezuela had reason to fear the United States was ready to move from threats to action. He condemned recent US strikes on vessels allegedly carrying drugs as “gross violations of international law and human rights,” adding that "boats that people were on were simply fired upon in the high seas without a trial or investigation." Nebenzia described the attacks as following the “cowboy principle of 'shoot first'." He also questioned claims that criminals were on board.




Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, said Washington’s military build-up and “belligerent action and rhetoric” meant his country faced “a situation in which it is rational to anticipate that in the very short term an armed attack is to be perpetrated against Venezuela.”

Several council members, including France, Greece and Denmark, called for de-escalation and dialogue to resolve tensions and emphasised adherence to international law. Panama’s deputy UN ambassador, Ricardo Moscoso, said countries could address drug trafficking, piracy, and other threats in regional waters through “coordinated and sustainable strategies” rather than military action. He added, "Panama believes that the transnational threats facing our region demand joint responses based on respect for international law and supported by a shared commitment to peace and stability in our hemisphere."

France’s deputy UN envoy, Jay Dharmadhikari, highlighted multilateral efforts to curb trafficking and strengthen border controls. He said this must respect international law, including human rights, and that "in this context, states must refrain from any unilateral armed action."

The discussion came after the United States struck several vessels off Venezuela in recent weeks, in operations the Trump administration described as part of its conflict with drug cartels.