Russia criticizes UN for prioritizing Red Sea ship attacks over Caribbean incidents, calling for equal attention to maritime security issues.
Russia has criticized the United Nations Security Council for continuing its monthly monitoring of ship attacks in the Red Sea, arguing that similar attention should be given to incidents occurring in the Caribbean, reported Reuters.
The council, on Wednesday, asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide monthly reports for another six months on attacks by Yemen's Houthi group against vessels in the Red Sea. This monitoring has been in place for two years.
Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva stated that the council should instead consider focusing on commercial shipping attacks in the Caribbean.
Since September, the United States has carried out approximately 20 strikes against vessels it claims are linked to drug trafficking off the coast of Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of more than 80 individuals. The US has also seized five oil tankers to limit Venezuelan exports.
Deputy US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta emphasized that the resolution reinforced the council's duty to remain vigilant regarding the Houthi threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. She stressed that maritime security is vital to international peace.
The Security Council first acted in January 2024 after Houthi attacks disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, forcing companies to reroute vessels and raising concerns about energy and food prices.
The Houthis claimed they were targeting ships linked to Israel during the Gaza war, although many of the vessels attacked had no connection to Israel. No new attacks have been reported in recent months.
