The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, announced on Tuesday before the Security Council that his country intends to impose "maximum" sanctions on Venezuela. The goal is to cut off resources from Nicolás Maduro's government, which Washington claims are funding the Cartel of the Suns, a group designated by the U.S. as a "terrorist organization."
During an emergency meeting of the Council, requested by Venezuela, Waltz expressed these views in response to President Donald Trump's blockade on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the South American nation, as reported by EFE.
Waltz emphasized that these tankers are considered "Maduro's main economic lifeline" and that they also provide financial support to the Cartel of the Suns.
The ambassador reiterated Trump's clear resolve to use "all the power and force" of the United States to "confront and eliminate" drug cartels that, according to him, have been operating with impunity in the hemisphere.
Venezuelan Response and International Reactions
Representing Venezuela, the country's permanent representative to the UN, Samuel Moncada, labeled the oil blockade as an "act of aggression." He accused Trump of attempting to "turn back the clock 200 years" to "impose a colony" in Venezuela.
Moncada also referenced U.S. attacks on alleged "narco-boats" in the Caribbean and an "armed attack" he claimed had been announced "weeks ago."
He described U.S. actions as "the greatest extortion" in history, warning that Venezuela is just "the first target" in a broader plan against the rights of American continent states, even "at the expense of destroying the UN."
Furthermore, Moncada portrayed the offensive as a "war of plunder and pillage" of oil that, in his view, would impact the international relations system and the "Global South."
Backlash from Russia and China
Both Russia and China defended Maduro's government in the Security Council, accusing the United States of "intimidation" and acting like a "cowboy."
The Russian representative argued that the U.S. actions violate international law and blamed Washington for the "catastrophic" consequences of pressure on the Chavismo regime. Meanwhile, the Chinese representative, Sun Lei, stated that Beijing opposes unilateralism and intimidation, supporting countries that defend their sovereignty and national dignity.
Escalating Tensions and U.S. Justifications
These statements come amid an escalation that intensified since September when the U.S. began targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in "over 100 fatalities."
The White House maintains that its aim is to curb drug entry into the U.S. and that the terrorist designation of the Cartel of the Suns authorizes the government to "legitimately defend" against its threat.
Adding to this, the U.S. intercepted a Panamanian-flagged oil tanker named Centuries on Saturday in the Caribbean, which was transporting Venezuelan crude oil to refineries in China.
This marks the second vessel intercepted in the Caribbean by the Trump administration, following the prior seizure of the ship Skipper and the confiscation of its crude oil.
Moreover, on Sunday, the U.S. reportedly began an "active pursuit" to intercept a third tanker, the Bella 1, as confirmed to EFE by a U.S. official.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Sanctions on Venezuela
What are the goals of the U.S. sanctions on Venezuela?
The United States aims to cut off resources to Nicolás Maduro's government that are believed to fund the Cartel of the Suns, a terrorist organization as per U.S. designation.
How has Venezuela responded to the U.S. sanctions?
Venezuela has condemned the sanctions as a "crime of aggression" and accused the U.S. of trying to impose colonial control over the country.
What actions have Russia and China taken in response to the U.S. sanctions?
Russia and China have defended the Venezuelan government, accusing the U.S. of intimidation and opposing unilateral actions that violate international norms.