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The United Nations called Monday for strict adherence to international aviation law after the United States announced plans to shut down Venezuelan airspace entirely, marking a sharp escalation in Washington's military campaign against drug trafficking in Latin America.
The world body urged all nations to respect their obligations under international law and use existing diplomatic channels to resolve the dispute peacefully, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He said the organization's position remains "consistent" despite mounting tensions between Washington and Caracas.
The call comes as U.S. President Donald Trump recently threatened on social media to "completely shut down" Venezuelan airspace, prompting Venezuela to demand "unconditional respect" for its sovereign territory. The United States has significantly expanded military operations across the region in recent months, deploying Marines, warships, fighter jets, bombers, submarines and drones.
Dujarric told reporters that Guterres "remains gravely concerned" about US military strikes on vessels allegedly transporting individuals involved in drug trafficking. The secretary-general's comments followed a Washington Post report alleging that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike specifically to kill two survivors of an initial attack on a suspected drug boat.
The White House confirmed Monday that Hegseth authorized the order on September 2, though the directive was issued by Navy Adm. Frank Bradley. Spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said Bradley acted "well within his authority and the law" when directing the lethal strike.
Since September, the US military has conducted 21 strikes on vessels it identified as carrying drugs, resulting in 83 deaths.
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Dujarric referred reporters to previous statements by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who indicated that the military strikes may violate international human rights law. Turk has called for formal investigations into the attacks.
The spokesperson emphasized the importance of using established mechanisms to address disputes while "ensuring the safety and security and connectivity of international civil aviation." International aviation operates under frameworks established by the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which guarantees states sovereignty over their airspace while establishing protocols for international cooperation.
Trump said last week that the United States will "very soon" extend military action against Venezuelan drug traffickers to land-based operations, signaling a potential further expansion of the campaign beyond maritime interdiction efforts.
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