Baba UmarUnited Nations — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cautioned against using UN force for Haiti as a pretext for military action against Venezuela, telling reporters at the UN that American Navy's build-up near Venezuela has created an "alarming" situation in the region.
The US Navy's presence in international waters near Venezuela is alarming to Russia, Latin American and Caribbean representatives, Brazilians, and island states like Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Lavrov told media on Saturday immediately after his speech at the United Nations General Assembly [UNGA].
"The situation indeed is very serious. There is significant [US] naval forces situated there including a nuclear submarine. And we hear direct threats of military intervention in order to destroy drug cartels, to fight drug trafficking on the whole," Lavrov said.
He signalled that a US-Panama draft text circulating in the UN Security Council [UNSC] to establish a coalition against gangs in Haiti could be used against Caracas.
"What's being done there together with Panama, US is pushing through a resolution to establish an international force to ensure security in Haiti," Lavrov said.
"They are asking for a very specific mandate against gangs. And in order for the Security council to establish such an institution, and to leave its establishment to those who have an interest in that, the main mandate would be to use unlimited force on unlimited scale against gangs.There is no timeline for this operation, no accountability system in view," he suggested.
Lavrov stated he wouldn't rule out nations seeking a UNSC mandate, then alleging Venezuela harbours Haitian gangs.
"If you compare these two processes, if you put them together, what's happening in the Security Council and what's happening around Venezuela, I cannot rule out that certain creative actors could think of getting a mandate at the Security Council and later tell us to say that there are gangs from Haiti harboured in Venezuela," he said.
Russia expresses solidarity with Venezuela
Lavrov said interference in Venezuela's affairs is "unacceptable," stressing Venezuelans have the right to choose their policies, as per the UN Charter.
"So, we show solidarity with the government and people of Venezuela."
Lavrov comments followed queries regarding the US deployment of warships to the southern Caribbean.
US has stationed eight warships and a nuclear-powered submarine off Venezuela's coast as part of a stated plan to combat drug cartels.
However, Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan president, who is accused by Trump of leading “a narcotics cartel,” suspects Washington of attempting to overthrow his government.
In recent days, US forces have destroyed three alleged drug boats in the Caribbean, resulting in over a dozen casualties. The UN and Caracas have criticised the action as "extrajudicial killings."
