The United Nations Security Council has become the arena for intense diplomatic confrontation following recent US naval operations in the Caribbean Sea. China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, Sun Lei, delivered a stern condemnation of American military activities during a Security Council briefing on Tuesday, characterizing them as unlawful escalations that threaten regional stability.
According to diplomatic accounts, the United States has intensified its military presence in waters adjacent to Venezuela under the declared objective of combating narcotics trafficking. This campaign has involved the sinking of over 28 vessels and the deaths of more than 100 crew members since early September, with Washington claiming these operations targeted drug smuggling operations.
The controversy reached new heights with the interception and seizure of two Venezuelan oil tankers on December 10 and December 20, respectively. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended these actions, stating publicly that the United States would persist in disrupting the movement of sanctioned oil allegedly financing narco-terrorism networks in the region.
Venezuela’s government has denounced these maritime interventions as ‘blatant theft and acts of international piracy,’ accusing US military personnel of hijacking private vessels and causing the enforced disappearance of crew members in international waters. Foreign Minister Yvan Gil contends that the underlying motivation involves coveting Venezuela’s substantial energy resources—the largest proven oil reserves globally, with exports averaging approximately 770,000 barrels daily last year.
The situation has created significant uncertainty for international shipping, with numerous vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil reportedly anchored off Venezuela’s coast, hesitant to sail amid seizure risks. President Donald Trump has explicitly ordered a blockade against US-sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from Venezuela and has not ruled out military escalation, stating he doesn’t ‘rule out’ regime change through force.
China’s representative articulated broad principles against unilateralism, emphasizing opposition to any measures violating the UN Charter, infringing on national sovereignty, or employing force in international relations. Sun Lei called upon the United States to heed international concern, cease current operations, lift unilateral sanctions, and contribute constructively to regional peace and development.