Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a stark appeal to the United Nations to "prevent any bloodshed" in Venezuela, following a major escalation of pressure on Caracas by the administration of US President Donald Trump.
US Naval Blockade and Regional Military Buildup
The call came the morning after Washington announced a blockade targeting "sanctioned oil tankers" entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. This move is part of a broader US military deployment in the Caribbean, officially aimed at combating drug trafficking but viewed by Venezuela as a campaign to oust its leftist leader, Nicolás Maduro, and seize its vast oil reserves.
Speaking at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on 28 August 2025, the left-wing leader criticised the UN's "conspicuous absence" and urged the body to seek peaceful conflict resolution. Sheinbaum stated that, regardless of opinions on Maduro's leadership, Mexico's constitutional position is to reject foreign interference.
"We call for dialogue and peace to be used in any international dispute, and not intervention," she told reporters, offering Mexico as a potential venue for negotiations between the US and Venezuela.
Global Reactions and Stakes for Venezuela's Oil
The crisis centres on Venezuela's economy, which relies heavily on oil exports despite severe damage from years of mismanagement. The country possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. China, which buys approximately 80% of Venezuela's crude exports, voiced its support. Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Venezuelan counterpart that Beijing opposes "unilateral bullying" and supports nations in safeguarding sovereignty.
This diplomatic backing follows a tangible demonstration of US enforcement: last week, US forces seized a tanker in the Caribbean Sea carrying Venezuelan oil destined for Cuba and China.
Expanding Regional Alliances and Military Actions
The Trump administration's stance gained regional support from Chile's hard-right president-elect, José Antonio Kast, who said on Tuesday he would back efforts to end Maduro's "dictatorship". Concurrently, US military activity in the region is intensifying.
The US embassy in Quito confirmed that US Air Force personnel are now in Ecuador's port city of Manta for a temporary joint operation. This comes amid a controversial US campaign against alleged drug-smuggling vessels. Since early September, these operations have destroyed at least 26 small vessels and killed at least 95 people, including eight in strikes on Monday.
President Sheinbaum's intervention underscores a deepening geopolitical rift, with Mexico positioning itself as a voice for diplomacy against a backdrop of escalating military and economic pressure.
