BOGOTA, Colombia

Venezuela has requested support from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres amid escalating tensions with the US following its deployment of military assets in the Caribbean Sea, which it regards as "an attack on peace."

Foreign Minister Yvan Gil confirmed that he met with Gianluca Rampolla, the UN Resident Coordinator in Venezuela, to address "the threats the region faces from the US."

In a statement, Gil expressed concern over “the deployment of US military units and even nuclear weapons” in the Caribbean.

"We request the support of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to restore sanity," he said, adding the meeting was aimed at "strengthening cooperation within a framework of respect for sovereignty."

Gil dismissed Washington’s claims as "false narratives" and a "pretext to justify aggression against Venezuela," referring to recent US allegations that President Nicolas Maduro is the leader of the Cartel of the Suns, a narcoterrorist organization.

He cited the 2025 World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), which he said "ratified Venezuela as a territory free of illicit crops."

The US military deployment, ordered by President Donald Trump, includes guided-missile destroyers, thousands of sailors, and Marines. According to the Pentagon, the purpose is to combat drug cartels in the region.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Monday that military vessels and drones will be sent to patrol the country’s coastline.

The move is set against the backdrop of deepening tensions between the two countries, particularly since the US Justice Department recently doubled its reward to $50 million for information leading to the arrest of President Maduro, having accused him of being one of the world's largest drug traffickers.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Trump on Tuesday that Argentina has joined the "international coalition" supporting the US offensive against drug trafficking and the Maduro government.

In a meeting at the White House, Rubio highlighted the increase in international support.

"The world is supporting us. Just last week, Ecuador, Paraguay, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago; today, Argentina. Everyone is joining us to help move this forward.”