A group of UN experts questioned the United States’ military actions in the Caribbean Sea. Photo: UN Photo
Guacamaya, October 22, 2025. A group of United Nations experts denounced this Wednesday that the covert actions and threats of military force by the United States against the Government of Venezuela constitute a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty and of the United Nations Charter. The specialists warned that this “extremely dangerous” escalation could have serious implications for peace and security in the Caribbean, and urged Washington to cease its attacks and respect international law.
In a joint statement, the experts stated that recent US military maneuvers in the Caribbean, along with lethal operations against vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela, violate international law of the sea and could constitute extrajudicial executions.
“Even if such accusations were substantiated, the use of lethal force in international waters without an adequate legal basis violates international law,” they affirmed. The experts warned that “preparations for covert or direct military action against another sovereign State constitute an even more serious violation of the United Nations charter.”
The statement comes after the decision by the US President to designate the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua as a “terrorist” organization, alleging it represents a direct threat to his country. However, the UN experts pointed out that these groups are not attacking the United States, and therefore there is no legal basis to invoke the right to legitimate self-defense.
Citing Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, they underlined that any threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of a State is prohibited. Furthermore, they warned that any attempt to promote a regime change by external means violates the right to self-determination of peoples, enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by the United States in 1992.
“The long history of external interventions in Latin America must not be repeated,” stated experts George Katrougalos, Ben Saul, and Morris Tidball-Binz. “The lessons of history must be learned and not repeated. The international community must stand firm in defending the rule of law, dialogue, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
The rapporteurs — appointed by the UN Human Rights Council — confirmed that they have already contacted the US Government to express their concern and reiterated their call to respect the principles of multilateralism and the United Nations Charter.
