The UN on Friday warned of mounting risks to regional peace after a series of US military strikes on boats it accused of drug trafficking left at least 21 dead in the southern Caribbean, prompting Venezuela to declare a state of emergency and denounce the attacks as a breach of international law. Briefing ambassadors in the Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča said the US operations, conducted between 2 September and 3 October, have heightened tensions in the region and drawn sharp criticism from Caracas. “Venezuelan authorities have announced that they remain on high alert since the United States military deployments were first reported in August,” he said, noting that President Nicolás Maduro has mobilized 4.5 million members of the Bolivarian Militia to support the armed forces. Mr. Jenča said that according to US authorities, the strikes targeted vessels in international waters carrying illegal drugs bound for the United States. Eleven individuals were reportedly killed in the first attack on 2 September, with subsequent operations bringing the total reported fatalities to 21. The exact locations of the incidents have not been publicly disclosed, and the UN is not able to independently verify these reports.
UN urges restraint as US strikes in southern Caribbean escalate tensions with Venezuela | UN News
