"Cowboy Behavior": Russia and China Slam U.S. "Bullying" of Venezuela at UN Security Council

In a heated emergency session of the UN Security Council, Russia and China leveled harsh criticisms against the United States' recent actions toward Venezuela. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia condemned the U.S. naval blockade as "cowboy behavior" and a dangerous violation of international law. China echoed these sentiments, labeling U.S. unilateral sanctions as "political bullying" that jeopardizes regional stability and global maritime freedom.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz countered by stripping Nicolás Maduro of political legitimacy, calling him a "criminal" who finances drug trafficking with oil revenues. Venezuelan envoy Samuel Moncada dismissed these charges as "absurd," arguing that Washington’s true motivation is seizing "oil and minerals" rather than security or freedom. The session concluded without a formal resolution, highlighting the profound geopolitical rift between the permanent members over the Caribbean crisis.