Venezuela denounces US blockade as an act of aggression
Venezuela has denounced the United States’ new naval blockade as an act of war, calling it a direct violation of international law and sovereignty. The announcement, made by Washington as part of a broader campaign of sanctions, has triggered a wave of diplomatic backlash and renewed tensions between the two countries.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez condemned what she described as “reckless threats” that undermine international trade and freedom of navigation. In a government statement, Caracas accused Washington of attempting to “seize Venezuela’s oil and mineral wealth” under the guise of protecting global security. The Venezuelan government presented a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council, urging member states to reject what it called “an imperialist and colonialist maneuver.”
Legal and political backlash
Legal experts have warned that the blockade could be interpreted as an act of war under international law. A 1961 memorandum from the U.S. Justice Department concluded that a blockade constitutes a “belligerent act” permissible only under formal or de facto wartime conditions.
In Washington, several lawmakers have voiced concern over the legality of the measure. Representative Joaquin Castro criticized the decision as “an unauthorized act of war” and announced a congressional resolution aimed at restricting military engagement with Venezuela. The resolution is expected to be debated later this week.
Maduro calls for worldwide solidarity
President Nicolás Maduro responded by urging oil industry workers around the world to stage protests against what he termed “modern piracy.” He referenced the recent seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker carrying nearly two million barrels of crude, calling it “a violation of international trade and maritime peace.”
Maduro accused U.S. President Donald Trump of seeking to “strangle Venezuela’s economy through coercion,” after Washington designated the Venezuelan government as a “foreign terrorist organization.” He said the blockade would not deter his administration from defending national sovereignty.
International observers suggest the dispute could further complicate the already tense geopolitical situation in the Caribbean, where competing alliances and trade routes remain strategically significant for both countries.
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