GENEVA – UN experts have condemned the United States’ covert actions and threats of armed intervention against Venezuela, stating that such measures violate the country’s sovereignty and breach the UN Charter. They emphasized that these actions contravene international obligations prohibiting interference in the domestic affairs of other states or the use of force, warning that they represent a dangerous escalation with serious implications for peace and security in the Caribbean region.
The experts highlighted reports of a significant U.S. military buildup in the Caribbean and noted previous lethal operations targeting vessels off the Venezuelan coast, allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking. They stressed that even if such allegations were confirmed, the use of lethal force in international waters without legal justification breaches the international law of the sea and constitutes extrajudicial executions. Preparations for covert or direct military action against a sovereign state were described as an even more severe violation of the UN Charter.
The experts also addressed the U.S. designation of the organised crime group Tren de Aragua as a “terrorist” organisation, noting that these groups are not attacking the U.S. and that such strikes do not justify self-defence under international law. They reminded that Article 2(4) of the UN Charter prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, and that attempts to impose regime change externally infringe on the right to self-determination, as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Citing Latin America’s history of external interventions, the UN experts warned against repeating past mistakes and called on the international community to uphold the rule of law, promote dialogue, and ensure the peaceful resolution of disputes. They urged the United States to cease unlawful attacks and threats, respect international law, and reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and the principles of the UN Charter. The experts have communicated their concerns directly to the U.S. government.
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