Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto reiterated his country's demand for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States. He described these measures as "economic aggression" aimed at destabilizing the country and violating its sovereignty, asserting that they constitute collective punishment of the Venezuelan people.
Context of the crisis and US sanctions
These demands come amid a complex political and economic crisis that has gripped Venezuela for years. The United States began imposing stringent sanctions on Caracas, which escalated significantly after the 2018 presidential election, in which President Nicolás Maduro won a second term. The United States and many Western countries refused to recognize the results of that election, deeming it unfair. In response, Washington recognized the then-opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, as the country's interim president and imposed a series of punitive measures targeting vital sectors of the Venezuelan economy.
The economic and humanitarian impact of sanctions
The US sanctions focused primarily on Venezuela's oil sector, the main source of national income, as well as targeting the financial and banking sector and government officials. These measures severely restricted Venezuela's ability to export oil and access international financial markets, exacerbating the country's already dire economic crisis. This resulted in a sharp decline in public services, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and runaway inflation, prompting millions of Venezuelans to emigrate in search of better living conditions—one of the largest migration crises in modern Latin American history.
Diplomatic importance and international dimension
Internationally, President Nicolás Maduro’s government uses international platforms, such as the United Nations, to rally support against what it considers a US “blockade” policy. Venezuela maintains that these sanctions violate the principles of international law and the UN Charter, and calls for resolving disputes through dialogue, diplomacy, and respect for national sovereignty. These calls are supported by Caracas’s traditional allies, such as Russia, China, and Cuba, who consistently condemn the US sanctions policy. The continuation of this situation not only affects Venezuela’s stability but also casts a shadow over the geopolitical dynamics of the region, representing a major point of contention among global powers. Through these diplomatic efforts, Venezuela seeks to break its international isolation and alleviate the economic hardship its people are enduring.
