UN experts on Wednesday declared that partial US maritime blockades on Venezuela are violating fundamental rules of international law. The US has been attempting to seize sanctioned vessels bound for the South American country since mid-month.

On December 10, 2025, the US seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela after President Donald Trump ordered the US Navy to stop sanctioned oil tankers from entering and leaving the country. In a Truth Social post on December 16, President Trump announced vessels approaching Venezuela will be targeted with “total and complete blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers going into, and out of, Venezuela,” which followed the deployment of a large military force in the Caribbean near Venezuela.

The UN experts said, “There is no right to enforce unilateral sanctions through an armed blockade.” A blockade is a prohibited use of military force against another country under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. “It is such a serious use of force that it is also expressly recognised as illegal armed aggression under the General Assembly’s 1974 Definition of Aggression,” the experts said.

The experts continued: “The illegal use of force, and threats to use further force at sea and on land, gravely endanger the human right to life and other rights in Venezuela and the region.”

The decision of these sanctions follows the US’ designation of the Venezuelan president and parts of its government as an alleged “foreign terrorist organisation” known as Cartel de los Soles, despite the lack of apparent existence of such a cartel. The blockades also follow the US Navy’s strikes on vessels suspected of trafficking drugs into the US, resulting in the deaths of 104 individuals. The UN has counted 28 such attacks on civilian vessels since early September 2025.

The experts argued, “These killings amount to violations of the right to life. They must be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Meanwhile, the US Congress should intervene to prevent further attacks and lift the blockade.”

Urging States to prevent the blockades through methods such as diplomatic protest, General Assembly resolutions, and peaceful counter-measures, UN experts also stated, “Collective action by States is essential to uphold international law.” “Respect for the rule of law, sovereignty, non-use of force, non-intervention and the peaceful settlement of disputes are essential to preserving peace and stability worldwide.”