Venezuela Condemns US Caribbean Strikes at the UN
In a strongly worded letter to the United Nations Security Council, Venezuela's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, condemned a series of US strikes in the Caribbean as "a set of extrajudicial executions" on Thursday. The letter, which was made public by the Venezuelan mission to the UN, urged the council to launch an investigation into the attacks.
The US has been conducting military operations in the Caribbean since September, targeting vessels suspected of being involved in drug trafficking. However, Moncada argued that the strikes have resulted in five lethal attacks and 27 reported deaths, with civilian vessels transiting international waters being targeted.
"There is a killer prowling the Caribbean," Moncada said while holding up a newspaper reporting on two fishermen from Trinidad and Tobago who are believed to be among six people killed in a recent strike. "People from different countries are suffering the effects of these massacres."
Moncada's letter also emphasized the need for the Security Council to reaffirm the principle of unrestricted respect for the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of states.
The US has maintained that its military operations in the Caribbean are aimed at disrupting the flow of illicit goods, including cocaine and marijuana. However, critics argue that the strikes have resulted in civilian casualties and have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and oversight.
The controversy surrounding the US strikes comes as tensions between Washington and Caracas continue to escalate. Venezuela has long been a key player in regional politics, and its ambassador's condemnation of the US actions is likely to be closely watched by other countries in the region.
In response to Moncada's letter, a spokesperson for the US mission to the UN said that the country's military operations in the Caribbean are "targeted and proportionate" and are aimed at disrupting the flow of illicit goods. The spokesperson added that the US is committed to upholding international law and protecting human rights.
The Security Council has yet to issue a statement on the matter, but it is likely to be discussed further in coming days. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding the US strikes in the Caribbean is set to dominate international headlines for weeks to come.
Background
Venezuela and the US have had strained relations in recent years, with Washington imposing economic sanctions on Caracas over allegations of human rights abuses and corruption. The two countries have also clashed over issues such as immigration and trade.
The Caribbean has long been a key region for international cooperation, particularly when it comes to counter-narcotics efforts. However, the US strikes have raised concerns about the potential for civilian casualties and the lack of transparency and oversight.
Additional Perspectives
In an interview with DW, a spokesperson for the Trinidad and Tobago government expressed concern about the impact of the US strikes on regional stability. "We understand that the US is trying to address the issue of drug trafficking in the region," the spokesperson said. "However, we also believe that there needs to be greater transparency and oversight when it comes to military operations."
A senior official from the Organization of American States (OAS) also weighed in on the controversy, saying that the organization is monitoring the situation closely. "We are concerned about the potential for civilian casualties and the impact on regional stability," the official said.
Current Status
The US strikes in the Caribbean continue to be a contentious issue, with Venezuela's ambassador to the UN condemning them as "extrajudicial executions." The Security Council has yet to issue a statement on the matter, but it is likely to be discussed further in coming days. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the controversy surrounding the US strikes in the Caribbean is set to dominate international headlines for weeks to come.
Next Developments
The next few days are likely to see increased scrutiny of the US military operations in the Caribbean. The Security Council may issue a statement on the matter, and there could be further diplomatic efforts to address the concerns raised by Venezuela's ambassador. As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the controversy surrounding the US strikes in the Caribbean will have far-reaching implications for regional politics and international relations.
*Reporting by Dw.*
