WANA (Nov 15) – Venezuela’s Foreign Minister has expressed gratitude to Iran for warning about the potential consequences of increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, calling it a threat to international peace and security and praising Iran’s support for Venezuela’s national sovereignty.

 

In a message posted on his Telegram channel, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto wrote: “On behalf of President Nicolás Maduro, we sincerely thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for its warning regarding the expansion of U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and its consequences for our region.”

 

He added: “We acknowledge Iran’s unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and its firm call for respecting our national sovereignty. This international support strengthens our commitment to defending the truth, our legitimate right to self-defense, and efforts to achieve peace.”

 

According to reports, the U.S. Department of Defense, under the order of President Donald Trump, has since September increased its military assets in the Caribbean, claiming the move is part of an anti-narcotics operation targeting foreign vessels in international waters.

 

The Trump administration does not recognize the government of Nicolás Maduro and accuses it of being involved in overseeing drug-trafficking networks — allegations Caracas rejects.

 

The legitimacy of U.S. unilateral military actions against vessels in international waters — especially in the Caribbean — has become a topic of debate among members of Congress and American policy experts.

 

In response, Esmail Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that escalating U.S. military activities in the Caribbean and Latin America poses serious risks to international peace and security, urging respect for Venezuela’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

 

He described threats of force against Venezuela’s “legitimate and elected government” as a clear violation of international law and a breach of the UN Charter, particularly the right of nations to self-determination and the prohibition of the use of force stated in Article 2, Clause 4.

 

Baghaei cited various international reports characterizing U.S. attacks on fishing vessels as extrajudicial and unlawful killings, stressing that counter-narcotics claims must not be used as a pretext to undermine Venezuela’s sovereignty.

 

He also reminded the United Nations and its Secretary-General of their responsibility to prevent actions that could jeopardize international peace and encourage unilateral militaristic policies.

Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro

Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. Social media/ WANA News Agency