UN Security Council To Meet At Venezuela's Request To Discuss 'Ongoing U.S. Aggression'

The UN Security Council will meet next week at the request of the Venezuelan regime to discuss the "ongoing U.S. aggression."

The meeting will take place as the U.S. escalates its campaign against the Maduro regime with more strikes against alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific and a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

Caracas has received the support of two permanent members of the Security Council this week: China and Russia. Beijing criticized what it described as "unilateral bullying" of Venezuela after the U.S. announced the blockade.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing's opposition to actions that infringe on national sovereignty during a phone call Wednesday with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout cited by Reuters. Wang said China supports countries in safeguarding their "sovereignty and national dignity," but did not name the United States or specify how China might assist Venezuela.

Moscow, on its end, cautioned the U.S. about making a "fatal mistake" in its campaign, adding that the blockade poses a "threat to international shipping."

"We hope that the D. Trump administration, which is characterized by a rational and pragmatic approach, will not make a fatal mistake," the ministry added in a statement.

Moreover, Moscow also warned Washington about making a move that could have "unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere," noting that the country supports "the Maduro government's course."

The White House said last week that Trump is not concerned about Russia's support for Venezuela. Speaking after Nicolas Maduro and Vladimir Putin had a phone call, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "I don't think that would be concerning to the president at all."

The Kremlin said Putin used the call to "reaffirm his support" for Maduro's policies and to express solidarity with the Venezuelan people. According to the Kremlin, both leaders restated their commitment to joint economic, energy, and financial projects.

Regional analysts, however, have said the countries' support may be largely symbolic. Days before the call was reported, BBC Mundo published a sprawling report in which it quoted Fernando Reyes Matta, director of the Center for China Studies at Universidad Andrés Bello, who said Maduro "has little time left" and that Russian and Chinese backing today exists "beyond certain rhetorical statements."

Reyes Matta said neither government appears willing to provide the kind of military assistance seen in past crises, citing Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and China's effort to stabilize relations with the United States.