Fwd: Pax optima rerum !
M.Galand Pierre
envoyé : 24 décembre 2025 à 12:08
de : Alfred de Zayas <alfred...@gmail.com>
à : undisclosed-recipients:;
objet : Pax optima rerum !UN experts condemn United States blockade and aggression against Venezuela
GENEVA (24 December 2025) – UN experts* today denounced the partial maritime blockade imposed by the United States on Venezuela as violating fundamental rules of international law.
In December, the United States announced a “blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela,” and deployed a large military force in the Caribbean near Venezuela.
“There is no right to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade,” the experts said.
A blockade is a prohibited use of military force against another country under article 2(4) of the UN Charter. “It is such a serious use of force that it is also expressly recognised as illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly’s 1974 Definition of Aggression,” the experts said.
“As such, it is an armed attack under article 51 of the Charter – in principle giving the victim State a right of self-defence,” they said.
“The illegal use of force, and threats to use further force at sea and on land, gravely endanger the human right to life and other rights in Venezuela and the region,” the experts said.
Aggression is a crime attracting universal jurisdiction under international law, which gives all countries the power to prosecute it, although the most senior government leaders retain immunity from foreign prosecution while still in office.
“There are serious concerns that the sanctions are unlawful, disproportionate and punitive under international law, and that they have seriously undermined the human rights of the Venezuelan people and the Sustainable Development Goals,” the experts said.
The blockade follows the US’ designation in November 2025 of elements of the Venezuelan Government, including its President, as part of an alleged “foreign terrorist organisation” known as Cartel de los Soles. Such cartel does not appear to exist. The US has also claimed that Venezuela has “stolen” US property and must return it.
It also follows the US’ arbitrary killings of at least 104 individuals allegedly involved in trafficking drugs into the US by sea through 28 attacks on civilian vessels since early September 2025. All those killed so far were reportedly not posing any immediate threat which could justify the use of lethal force. In February 2025, the US listed certain drug cartels and gangs as foreign terrorist organisations, and claimed to be fighting a war on “narco-terrorists”.
“These killings amount to violations of the right to life. They must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Meanwhile, the US Congress should intervene to prevent further attacks and lift the blockade,” the experts said.
They called on States to urgently take all feasible measures to stop the blockade and illegal killings – including through diplomatic protest, General Assembly resolutions, and peaceful counter-measures – and bring perpetrators justice.
“Collective action by States is essential to uphold international law,” the experts said. “Respect for the rule of law, sovereignty, non-use of force, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes are essential to preserving peace and stability worldwide.”
ENDS
*The experts:
- Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
- George Katrougalos, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order
- Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development
- Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
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