Translation of the letter sent from Venezuela to the United Nations. Apologies if the translation is not exact. And to be clear, Venezuela, we Americans do not want war. We are dealing with a mad king.
Caracas, December 16, 2025
His Excellency
Samuel Žbogar
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia
to the United Nations
President of the Security Council
New York
Your Excellency,
I have the honor to address you, on behalf of the People and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and in my own name, for the purpose of formally denouncing a grave act involving the use of force, seizure, and piracy sponsored and carried out by the United States of America, on December 10, 2025, in international waters of the Caribbean Sea.
This act was committed against a privately owned vessel engaged in lawful international commerce, transporting Venezuelan oil. During this incident, the crew members of the vessel were seized, and as of today, remain missing.
The actions described constitute a serious violation of international law, including the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the fundamental norms governing freedom of navigation and international trade.
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela considers this act to be an unlawful use of force and an act of maritime piracy, representing a dangerous escalation that threatens international peace and security.
In light of the gravity of these events, Venezuela respectfully requests that the United Nations Security Council urgently convene to consider this matter and take the appropriate measures in accordance with its mandate to preserve international peace and security.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.
Yván Gil Pinto
Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
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