Speaking at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, on the occasion of the International Day against Colonialism, the Venezuelan diplomat remembered the pronouncements made by US President Donald Trump on December 16.

He noted that on that day Trump announced to the world that “Venezuelan lands and oil belong to him and must be handed over immediately,” because if his orders are not obeyed, the most powerful navy in history will impose a naval and air blockade on Venezuela.

Moncada stated that with this declaration, there is no legal instrument that can stand against this “monstrous declaration.”

In this regard, he cited the UN Charter, customary international law, Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, the jurisprudence of international courts, and the German Convention.

The ambassador stated, “This is a grotesque violation of all civilizational norms, and that is colonialism, a crime of aggression.”

He asserted that the United States is imposing chaos and destruction on international relations “in the same way that malign actors did prior to World War II.” He reaffirmed that gunboat diplomacy has no place in the 21st century.

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