(NewsNation) — Several countries in the U.N. Security Council meeting called for the U.S. and Venezuela to uphold dialogue and diplomacy amid growing tensions between them.
Venezuela has accused the U.S. of “ongoing aggression.”
In Tuesday’s meeting, Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., said the U.S. does not recognize Nicolas Maduro’s government as legitimate, and again alleged that he is the head of Cartel de los Soles, which the U.S. has designated a foreign terrorist organization.
“Maduro’s ability to sell Venezuela’s oil enabled his fraudulent claim to power and his narco-terrorist activities,” Waltz said. He added the U.S. will continue to impose sanctions to “the fullest extent.”
A representative for Venezuela accused the U.S. of being the aggressor and provoking a conflict. They said they would not “lose their composure” when looking to defend their nation.
Russia and China, who recently came out in support of Venezuela, reaffirmed their support of the country and its sovereignty on Tuesday.
Caracas formally requested the emergency meeting last week, pointing to U.S. maritime actions and oil sanctions.
Russia and China have been sympathetic to Venezuela’s argument, though reporting so far suggests the session is likely to result in a debate, rather than immediate action by the council.
US pursues Venezuelan oil tanker
The diplomatic push comes as the U.S. Coast Guard continues to pursue a third Venezuelan oil tanker.
That operation remains active, with U.S. officials describing the vessel, called the Bella One, as a sanctioned “dark fleet” accused of evading enforcement.
The pursuit follows the interception of another vessel, the Centuries, over the weekend. The first tanker seized by the U.S. is now headed to port in Texas. U.S. officials said the moves are part of a sharply escalated campaign targeting Venezuelan oil shipments.
President Donald Trump described the effort as a “blockade” of sanctioned oil shipments and warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to take U.S. threats seriously.
“He can do whatever he wants, that’s alright, whatever he wants to do,” Trump said. “If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough.”
Venezuela has pushed back on the blockade, calling the U.S.’s actions “piracy.”
1 killed in suspected drug boat strike
Tensions were further inflamed after another deadly U.S. strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat at sea.
U.S. Southern Command released a video Monday night of the attack in the eastern Pacific, showing the vessel engulfed in flames. One person on board was killed.
The strike is the 29th such operation, according to the military. Officials said at least 105 people have been killed since the maritime strikes near Latin America began in September.