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The United Nations expressed concern Wednesday over escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, calling for peaceful resolution as both nations maintain military postures in the Caribbean following a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan vessel.
"In general, we remain very concerned about the heightened tensions between the United States and Venezuela," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters at a news conference. "It is important that there be de-escalation, and that a peaceful resolution of differences in accordance with international law and the Charter of the UN be found."
When asked about the legality of the reported U.S. strike, Dujarric declined to take a position but acknowledged broader regional security concerns. "We're seeing issues relating to drug trade, to organized crime, and we all know that the transnational drug trade, the transnational drug business, poses a great threat to the region and beyond," he said.
The diplomatic appeal comes after President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that U.S. forces conducted a "lethal strike" against what he described as a drug-carrying boat from Venezuela. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said the operation targeted a vessel "with a lot of drugs" and occurred "moments ago."
Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the action as a strike against a vessel "operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization" that had departed from Venezuela. Officials have not disclosed casualty figures from the operation.
The strike represents the latest escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government. Washington has deployed seven warships carrying 4,500 personnel to Venezuelan waters in what officials describe as anti-drug operations, though some administration sources privately acknowledge broader objectives.
"This is 105% about narco-terrorism, but if Maduro winds up no longer in power, no one will be crying," one Trump administration official told Axios. Another official drew comparisons to the 1989 U.S. military operation that captured Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega on drug trafficking charges, saying "This could be Noriega part 2."
The naval deployment includes three guided-missile destroyers, at least one attack submarine, and 2,200 marines. The USS Lake Erie, a guided-missile cruiser, transited the Panama Canal late Friday to join the force.
The Trump administration doubled the bounty for Maduro's capture to $50 million. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that Washington considers Maduro the "fugitive head of (a) drug cartel" rather than Venezuela's legitimate president.
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