The United Nations (UN) on Monday called for full respect of international law to ensure the safety of civil aviation, following the U.S. announcement that Venezuelan airspace would be “completely closed.”
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that the UN’s position remains consistent amid rising tensions. He urged countries to respect their obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and all existing legal frameworks.
Dujarric stressed the importance of using existing mechanisms to address issues while maintaining the peaceful security and connectivity of international civil aviation.
In response to a report in The Washington Post alleging that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized a second strike targeting survivors of an initial attack on a ship suspected of drug trafficking, Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “deeply concerned” about attacks on vessels suspected of transporting individuals involved in drug trafficking.
The White House confirmed that Hegseth authorized the order on 2 September, which was executed by Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, acting “within his authority and the law,” according to spokesperson Caroline Leavitt.
Dujarric also referred journalists to a statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who had previously warned that such military attacks could violate international human rights law and called for investigations into these strikes.
The UN’s statement follows threats by President Donald Trump on social media to “fully close” Venezuelan airspace, prompting Caracas to demand “unconditional respect” for its airspace.
The U.S. has expanded military operations across Latin America in recent months, deploying Marines, warships, fighter jets, bombers, submarines, and drones. Last week, Trump stated that the U.S. would take action “very soon” against Venezuelan drug traffickers on land.
Since September, the U.S. military has conducted 21 strikes against ships allegedly carrying drugs, resulting in 83 deaths.
