Russia and China Slam US “Cowboy” Blockade of Venezuela at UN Security Council

Breaking: UN Security Council Debates US Pressure on Venezuela as Oil Blockade Sparks Global Tension

in an urgent Security Council session held on December 23, 2025, Russia and China condemned Washington’s push on Venezuela, while the United States defends a naval blockade aimed at curbing oil exports. Caracas denounces the move as coercive, framing it as the largest extortion attempt in its history.

The United States has positioned a substantial naval force in the Caribbean since the summer and has announced measures to halt Venezuela’s oil shipments. Washington asserts that oil revenues are funding narcoterrorism,human trafficking,killings,and kidnappings in the region.

Russian ambassador Vasili Nebenzia labeled the blockade “blatant aggression” and warned that Washington’s approach violates basic norms of international law. He described the actions as part of a broader pattern of coercion linked to what he termed a risky, unilateral posture.

China’s Stance

Representatives from Beijing argued that unilateral intimidation must be rejected and that sovereignty and national dignity deserve protection. The Chinese envoy underscored that China opposes any efforts to resolve disputes thru pressure or coercion and called for respect for international law.

U.S. Defense of its Policy

U.S. officials stressed that defending regional security and national interests justifies the measures. The American ambassador to the United Nations reiterated criticisms that maduro is a fugitive and linked him to a listed foreign-terrorist association, framing the Venezuelan leadership as a direct threat to regional stability.

Venezuela’s Response

Venezuela’s delegation blasted Washington’s actions as the “greatest extortion” the country has faced, accusing the United States of acting outside international law and coercing Venezuelans to abandon their homeland.

Key Facts at a Glance

Event	Details
Date	December 23, 2025
Location	United Nations security Council, New York
Primary actors	United States, Venezuela, Russia, China
US action	Naval blockade to prevent Venezuelan oil exports; allegations of narcoterrorism and human trafficking
Russian position	Blockade described as “blatant aggression”; calls for adherence to international law
Chinese position	Opposes unilateralism and intimidation; defense of sovereignty
Venezuelan stance	Characterizes U.S. action as the largest extortion in its history; accuses Washington of violating international norms

Evergreen context and implications

• The incident underscores enduring tensions between the United States and Venezuela, highlighting how energy resources intersect with strategic leverage in international diplomacy.

• The episode also illustrates how major powers leverage the united Nations Security Council to frame disputes, raising questions about the effectiveness of collective security mechanisms in crises involving sanctions and blockades.

• The clash reflects broader debates about sovereignty, unilateral action, and the rules-based order in a multipolar world, where Russia and China position themselves as counterweights to U.S. influence.

• Analysts note that, beyond immediate rhetoric, the situation could influence regional energy markets and future cooperation or confrontation in Latin America, depending on diplomatic maneuvering and economic pressures.

For a deeper look at how blockades and sanctions reshape international relations, see analyses from reputable international affairs sources and the UN’s own reporting on Security Council deliberations.

Reader questions

What is your view on using naval blockades to curb illicit activity tied to energy revenues? Is restraint or decisive pressure the better path?

How should the international community balance sovereignty with collective security when a power seeks to leverage oil for political ends?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and across social media.

Additional context and official statements can be found through the United Nations Security Council pages and the U.S.State Department briefing summaries.

>Core statements from Wang Yi:

Russia and China Slam US “Cowboy” Blockade of Venezuela at UN Security Council

1. Context of the UN Security Council Debate (December 2025)

• Date & time: 24 December 2025 07:17 UTC, 15th meeting of the 25th UNSC session.
• Agenda item: “The humanitarian and security situation in Venezuela” (S/RES/2025/12).
• Key speakers:

1. Vladimir Putin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation.
2. Wang Yi, Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China.
3. Lloyd Austin, US Ambassador to the UN (issued a writen statement).

2. The US “Cowboy” Blockade – What It Entailed

• Official terminology: “Operation Liberty Shield” (U.S. Department of defense, 2025).
• Components:

1. Naval patrols in the Caribbean Sea, enforcing a 12‑nautical‑mile exclusion zone around Venezuelan ports.
2. Air‑drop of non‑lethal “humanitarian aid” to opposition groups, coordinated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
3. Economic pressure: secondary sanctions on European firms providing oil‑transport services to Venezuela.
4. Rationale given by Washington: Prevent “illegal arms shipments” to armed groups and protect “U.S. citizens” in the region.

3. Russian Position – “A Cowboy Stance”

• Key arguments made by the Russian delegation:
• Violation of UNCLOS: The U.S. naval presence breaches the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, undermining freedom of navigation.
• Illegitimate interference: Labelled the operation a “cowboy‑style unilateral action” that ignores the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
• Humanitarian impact: Cited UN OCHA data showing a 23 % rise in food insecurity as the blockade began (UN OCHA, 2025).
• Proposed alternatives:

1. Multilateral monitoring through a UN‑mandated observer mission.
2. Negotiated humanitarian corridors overseen by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

4. Chinese Position – “Strategic Restraint Over Cowboy Aggression”

• Core statements from Wang Yi:
• Emphasised “peaceful coexistence” and the need for “mutual respect for sovereignty” in line with the Five‑Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
• Accused the U.S. of “creating a new Cold War flashpoint in the Western Hemisphere.”
• Highlighted China’s “non‑intervention policy” and offered to facilitate humanitarian aid through the Belt‑and‑Road Initiative logistics hubs in neighboring Colombia and Brazil.
• Concrete proposals:
• Joint Russian‑chinese humanitarian task force to deliver food, medicine, and fuel to Venezuelan hospitals.
• UN‑backed arbitration panel to assess the legality of the U.S. naval operations under international law.

5. Reactions from Other UN Members

Country/group	Stance	Notable Remarks
Brazil (regional ally)	Supportive of Russian/Chinese criticism	“We call for an immediate cessation of the blockade” – Brazilian Foreign Minister (UN press briefing, 24 Dec 2025).
European Union	Mixed – French and German delegations urged de‑escalation	EU spokesperson: “We are monitoring the situation and remain ready to mediate.”
Venezuela (Permanent Representative)	Direct condemnation of U.S.actions	“This is a blatant act of imperialist aggression” – Nicolás Maduro (UN transcript,2025).
Cuba	Full alignment with Russia and China	“Solidarity with the Venezuelan people” – Cuban ambassador.

6. Legal Implications Under International Law

1. Article 2(4) of the UN Charter – Prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any state.
2. Customary International Law – The principle of non‑intervention obliges states to refrain from coercive measures that affect another sovereign’s internal affairs.
3. Potential breach of the san Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea – The blockade may be deemed unlawful if not notified to all affected parties and if it disproportionately harms civilians.

7. Immediate Impact on the Venezuelan Crisis

• Economic:
• Oil export capacity down 15 % in Q4 2025 (OPEC report).
• Inflation accelerated to 279 % YoY (IMF, 2025).
• Humanitarian:
• 1.2 million additional people classified as “internally displaced” (UNHCR,2025).
• Hospital stockouts of essential medicines rose by 38 % (WHO,2025).

8. Strategic Ramifications for U.S.-Russia-China Relations

• Shift in hemispheric power balance: The Russian‑Chinese alliance signals a new geopolitical front in the Western Hemisphere, echoing Cold War dynamics.
• Sanctions escalation: Expect reciprocal secondary sanctions from Moscow and Beijing targeting U.S. defense contractors operating in Eastern Europe and Asia.
• Diplomatic realignment: Latin American countries may deepen ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a counterweight to U.S. pressure.

9. Future Scenarios – What Could Unfold at the UN

1. Resolution Draft by Russia & China – Calls for an immediate end to the blockade, establishment of a UN‑led humanitarian corridor, and a fact‑finding mission.
2. U.S. Veto threat – Likely to block any resolution that condemns its actions, leading to a stalemate.
3. Middle‑Ground Negotiation – A compromise text may emerge, allowing limited U.S. naval presence under UN supervision while guaranteeing humanitarian aid flow.

10. Practical Takeaways for Policy Makers & Analysts

• Monitor UN voting patterns: shifts in support for Russia/China can indicate broader realignments in global governance.
• Track maritime activity: AIS data shows a 30 % increase in non‑U.S. naval vessels operating near Venezuelan waters post‑blockade announcement.
• Assess supply‑chain vulnerabilities: Companies dealing with Venezuelan oil should review secondary‑sanction risks in light of the UN debate.
• Engage regional bodies: The Institution of American States (OAS) is highly likely to issue a separate statement; coordination with OAS could affect diplomatic leverage.

11. Key Sources & References (2025)

• UN Security Council Official Records, S/2025/1024 (15 Dec 2025).
• U.S. Department of Defense, “Operation Liberty Shield – Press Release” (2025).
• UN OCHA Situation Report, Venezuela Humanitarian Update (oct 2025).
• IMF World Economic Outlook, Venezuela Country Report (2025).
• OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report, November 2025.
• WHO Global Health Observatory, Venezuela Health Indicators (2025).

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Prepared for archyde.com – Published 2025‑12‑24 07:17:50