Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Russian Federation, at her press conference. Photo: Sputnik.
Russia reiterated its support for the leadership of the Venezuelan government headed by President Nicolás Maduro, and condemned the US military aggression in Latin America and the Caribbean and its extrajudicial killings in Caribbean and Pacific waters.
“We strongly condemn the excessive use of military force in anti-drugs missions,” said the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, on Saturday, November 1. “These actions violate both US law and international laws. This is recognized by representatives of various countries and international organizations, including the UN Secretary-General.”
This statement comes as the Mexican Navy announced that—at the request of the United States—it is conducting a search and rescue operation in the Pacific Ocean, more than 400 nautical miles southwest of Acapulco, using an ocean patrol vessel and a maritime patrol aircraft.
The announcement came after Washington launched new attacks in the area, repeatedly resorting to military force against unidentified vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific that it claims were carrying drugs, for which it has provided no evidence.
The United States’ actions, including its deployment of naval ships and military weapons in waters near Venezuela, have drawn condemnation from several countries in the region, including Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Barbados, and others. They assert that it is a clear violation of international law and a threat to regional security.
Since Washington reinforced its military deployment in the Caribbean Sea, Russia has firmly supported the Venezuelan leadership in defending its national sovereignty and has advocated for respect for the Declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace. the Zone of Peace declaration dates back to January 29, 2014, at the 2nd Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) that took place in Havana, Cuba.
The Russian government representative added that bilateral relations between Moscow and Caracas are developing in a positive direction and in the spirit of a strategic partnership, are not subject to fluctuations in the international scenario, and encompass areas of mutual interest.
US attacks violate international and US laws
Maria Zakharova emphasized that the US actions violate US domestic law (Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution), which grants Congress the power “to define and punish piracy and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against the Law of Nations … To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water.”
Zakharova’s mention of this norm is not trivial, since the military actions of the Trump administration in its supposed war against drug cartels were neither discussed in nor approved by the US Congress.
The Russian diplomat also highlighted that the US actions violate Article 2, paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations, which clearly prohibits “all Member States from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other State.”
This principle is fundamental to the maintenance of international peace and security and is aimed at ensuring that relations between countries are guided by peaceful means, with exceptions for two main cases: self-defense (Article 51) and authorization by the Security Council to undertake coercive actions (Chapter VII).
The Russian Foreign Ministry also pointed out that the military actions ordered by Donald Trump violate Articles 18-22 of the Charter of the Organization of American States (OAS) and Article 88 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/DZ
