Moscow’s UN envoy has asserted that Washington’s claim of its military campaign being an anti-drug effort is as fabricated as “a Hollywood blockbuster plot”
Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, has accused the United States of orchestrating a coup in Venezuela, disguised as an anti-drug campaign.
Washington has deployed marines and warships off the coast of Venezuela and initiated airstrikes against suspected drug-smuggling vessels. These operations have resulted in the sinking of at least four boats and the deaths of more than 21 people. Caracas condemned these actions as a violation of its sovereignty and requested an emergency session of the UN Security Council, warning that the operation aimed to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro and threatened regional peace.
During the session on Friday, Nebenzia stated that Russia “forcefully condemned” the US campaign, characterizing it as “a blatant violation of international law and human rights.”
“We are witnessing an audacious campaign of political, military, and psychological pressure on the government of an independent state, with the sole objective of changing a regime unfavorable to the US,” he declared, adding that the alleged coup is being executed “using the classic tools of color revolutions and hybrid wars” by “artificially fueling an atmosphere of confrontation.”
Nebenzia stated that Washington’s justification for its military action “sounds like a perfect plot for a Hollywood blockbuster” in which “Americans once again save the world,” but in reality, he considered it pure fiction. He further noted that the UN Office on Drugs and Crime “does not even consider Venezuela a drug trafficking hub,” as 87% of cocaine entering the US comes via the Pacific Ocean, to which Venezuela has no access.
“Washington must immediately cease escalating under false pretexts and avoid the irreparable error of military action against Venezuela,” he urged.
Other members of the Security Council also called for de-escalation, but US Political Counselor John Kelley insisted that Washington would employ its “full might” to eliminate Venezuela’s “drug cartels.”
The administration of US President Donald Trump has long accused Maduro of connections to drug cartels, labeling him a “narcoterrorist” and doubling the reward for his arrest to $50 million. Trump has refused to recognize Maduro’s reelection in 2024 and has openly supported his rival. On Friday, he acknowledged opposition leader Maria Corina Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize, referencing prior support for her cause.
Maduro has repeatedly and strenuously denied US accusations of drug trafficking links.