Maduro Alerts UN Secretary-General Over US Escalation

President Nicolás Maduro today alerted United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to the escalation of threats against Venezuela and their serious implications for regional peace, indicated the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

In a telephone dialogue held this Wednesday with the head of the international organization, the Venezuelan leader denounced recent public statements by US President Donald Trump on a social network, in which he asserted, "in an unacceptable manner, that Venezuelan oil, natural resources, and territory belonged to him."

Maduro stated that these expressions of an openly colonial nature were echoed by senior US official Stephen Miller, who claimed that the Venezuelan oil industry also belonged to them.

He emphasized that such declarations "must be categorically rejected by the United Nations system, as they constitute a direct threat to sovereignty, international law, and peace."

The dignitary also outlined the political, diplomatic, and economic siege against Venezuela, as well as the intensification of a campaign of falsehoods and military threats, which included acts of modern piracy, such as the assault on a ship transporting legitimately traded Venezuelan oil.

The Venezuelan leader characterized these actions as part of a "diplomacy of barbarism," foreign to international coexistence, and reiterated Venezuela's willingness to defend a dignified diplomacy, dialogue, and peace.

Guterres, for his part, reaffirmed his commitment to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.

He also expressed his solidarity with the Venezuelan people and highlighted the necessity of avoiding any escalation or confrontation, "noting that an armed conflict in the region is unjustifiable and would be futile, with serious consequences for regional stability and the Zone of Peace in Latin America and the Caribbean."

The UN Secretary-General stated he "will monitor the situation and will accompany its consideration in the Security Council, and will promote de-escalation and will always privilege diplomacy, dialogue, and the peaceful settlement of disputes."