UN chief calls for immediate de-escalation of US-Venezuela tensions
Venezuela complained to the United Nations Security Council over the US seizure of an oil tanker calling it "state-sponsored piracy" and the "illegitimate use of military force against a private vessel."
United National Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended an event to mark the end of the U.N. political mission in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
Guterres calls on both countries to “honor their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and any other applicable legal framework to safeguard peace in the region”, Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.
United National Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during an event to mark the end of the U.N. political mission, in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)
‘Avoid escalatory steps’
The Charter requires all 193 UN member nations to refrain from the use of force against all other nations and settle all disputes peacefully.
“We want any escalatory steps to be avoided,” Haq said. “At this stage, it’s critical to continue diplomatic engagement and pursue a peaceful way forward through dialogue.”
He said Guterres is following the situation very closely and engaging “with relevant parties.”
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Venezuela writes to UNSC about tanker seizure
The UN official’s comments come a day after Venezuela complained to the United Nations Security Council over the US seizure of an oil tanker in the Caribbean last week.
In a letter to Samuel Zbogar of Slovenia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council, Venezuela urged the body to condemn what it described as the United States’ “theft” of the vessel.
Caracas called the seizure “state-sponsored piracy” and the “illegitimate use of military force against a private vessel,” and demanded the release of crew members it said had been “kidnapped.”
Washington has said the tanker was transporting oil sold on the black market in violation of US sanctions, adding that the cargo would be retained.
The Trump administration has since doubled down on its pressure campaign on the Nicolas Maduro government, announcing a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Venezuela was “completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America.”
Trump accused the Maduro government of using oil revenues to fund “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder, and kidnapping,” and said Venezuelan nationals previously sent to the United States were being returned “at a rapid pace.”
A cargo boat is docked below cranes at the seaport in La Guaira, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Venezuela’s crude exports have fallen sharply from the more than 900,000 barrels per day it shipped in November since the US seized the sanctioned vessel.
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Operators have kept loaded ships in Venezuelan waters, fearing they would be seized if they set sail for China, the destination for most of Venezuela’s oil.
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United National Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attended an event to mark the end of the U.N. political mission in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) 
