Venezuela warned that Washington's ambitions are "continental" and go far beyond the scope of the country
Venezuelan envoy Samuel Montesino stated that the United States is carrying out the "most severe extortion" in the country's history. Montesino made this statement at a UN Security Council meeting, which was convened by Caracas after Washington detained another oil tanker near a Latin American country's coast.
Earlier, US President Trump announced a maritime blockade against Venezuela, claiming that Venezuela "stole" American energy assets and warned that unless Venezuela returned these assets, it would face "the largest fleet in South American history."
Montesino said that the Trump administration "took actions outside international law, demanding Venezuelans to leave our country and hand them over. This is the biggest extortion we have known in our history." The "mask" that the United States pursues in Venezuela has been removed. It is not drugs, not security, not freedom. It is oil, mines, and land.
Since September, the US military has also been targeting small boats suspected of carrying drugs off the coast of Venezuela, and UN experts have condemned these vessels for extrajudicial executions. Caracas denied Washington's allegations that President Maduro is involved in drug trafficking, calling these accusations an attempt to justify a regime change operation.
Montesino also warned other Latin American countries that Washington's ambitions are "continental" and go far beyond his country. "Venezuela is just the first target of a larger plan. The US government wants us to split so that it can conquer us piece by piece."
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz insisted that Washington will continue to use all its power to eradicate drug cartels in Latin America, calling it the "most serious threat" to the US. He explained that these oil tankers are the "main economic lifeline" of Maduro and his illegal regime.
Russian UN envoy Vasiliy Nebenya called the maritime blockade against Venezuela an "aggressive act" and warned that Washington's "cowboy behavior" could lead to "catastrophic consequences."
Original: toutiao.com/article/1852440675160075/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.