Russia Supports Venezuela Against Trump's Militaryism In The Caribbean, Accuses US Of Violating UN Charter
JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) Maria Zakharova emphasized that her country supports Venezuela in protecting national sovereignty against US military attacks in Caribbean waters.
He said Russia criticized US President Donald Trump's policy of using excessive military force to attack ships in the Caribbean under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking.
"We affirm our firm support for Venezuela's leadership in protecting national sovereignty. We recommend that Latin America and the Caribbean remain a peaceful zone. Steps are needed to defuse the situation and facilitate constructive resolution of existing problems, with respect to international law norms," Zakharova said Sunday, November 2, quoted from Tass.
Zakharova stressed that US actions in Caribbean waters have claimed many lives in violation of US domestic laws and regulations (article I, section 8 of the US Constitution) and international law norms, in particular article 2(4) of the UN Charter, article 18-22 of the Organization of American Countries, and article 88 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
"This was also recognized by representatives of a number of international countries and organizations, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk," he said.
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Furthermore, Zakharova noted that bilateral relations between Russia and Venezuela developed progressively in the spirit of strategic partnerships, are not vulnerable to fluctuations in external conditions, and cover areas of common interest.
The US has repeatedly accused Venezuelan authorities of failing to fight drug trafficking. The US Navy deployed eight warships, a nuclear submarine, and 10,000 troops into the Caribbean Sea, destroying at least nine ships in international waters based on alleged drug trafficking from Venezuela.
In front of the 80th hearing of the United Nations General Assembly on September 23, US President Donald Trump said that his military would continue to attack ships, according to the US, linked to Venezuelan drug cartel affiliated with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.