HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Friday urged the US and Venezuela to de-escalate growing tensions in the southern Caribbean, calling for restraint and dialogue following reports of increased American military activity off the Venezuelan coast.

"In mid-August, an increased United States military presence was reported in the Southern Caribbean, off the coast of Venezuela," Miroslav Jenca, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, told an emergency session of the Security Council.

"According to United States authorities, these deployments are part of their efforts ‘to stop drugs from flooding into the United States and to bring those responsible to justice,'" he said.

He said tensions escalated when "on 2 September, the United States government announced that its military had struck a vessel suspected of carrying illegal drugs in international waters."

Jenca stressed that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "has urged both parties to de-escalate tensions, exercise restraint, and solve their differences through peaceful means."

"We continue to emphasize the need for all efforts to counter transnational organized crime to be conducted in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter," he said, reiterating the UN's readiness to "support any efforts in this regard."