The Venezuelan government has asked for an emergency UN Security Council meeting over the mounting US threats from the United States.
The United States President Donald Trump has sent 8 warships and a nuclear submarine to fight the drug trafficking, which Caracas sees as a violation of its sovereignty. The Venezuelan foreign ministry said in a statement that the "US Strikes in international waters, which killed 21 people, have endangered peace, security and international and regional stability.”
It further stated that the country wanted the UN Security Council, on which the United States holds veto power, to “debate the ongoing issue at the forum, where everyone could see the real intentions behind the military build-up.”
According to sources, China and Russia, both of whom also wield veto power in the council, have backed Venezuela's request for a meeting.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump told Congress that they were in "armed conflict" with drug cartels while describing the strike on alleged cartel vessels as an act of kindness.” So far, US armed forces have carried out 4 strikes, in which 21 people thought to be cartel members were killed.
Besides the deployment of the small naval fleet, the United States has also deployed F-35 warplanes to Puerto Rico. Washington has made Venezuela the focal point of its fight against drug trafficking, even though most of the illegal drugs entering the United States originate in, or are shipped through, Mexico.
The US has been constantly accusing President Maduro of harbouring and sheltering the notorious drug cartel de soles in the country. Maduro, in response, has accused Washington of forcing regime change in the country to take control of the vast mineral resources.
Thousands of Venezuelans have joined a civilian militia in response to Maduro's call for bolstering the cash-strapped country's defence.
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