In a press statement issued on Friday, December 20, 2025, the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria accused the United States of imperial aggression and of violating international law, warning that the incident poses a serious threat to global peace and the sovereignty of nations in the Global South.
A Nigerian solidarity organisation has condemned what it described as a brazen act of maritime piracy following reports that the United States seized Chinese commercial vessels within Venezuela’s territorial waters.
In a press statement issued on Friday, December 20, 2025, the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria accused the United States of imperial aggression and of violating international law, warning that the incident poses a serious threat to global peace and the sovereignty of nations in the Global South.
The group said the reported seizure amounted to a direct assault on the sovereignty of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the legitimate commercial interests of China, stressing that Venezuela has the right under international law to control its territorial waters and engage in lawful trade with any country of its choosing.
“Any unilateral military or coercive action taken without international authorization undermines the United Nations Charter and threatens global peace and stability.
"This reckless action by the United States represents a gross violation of international law, the United Nations Charter, and all established norms governing freedom of navigation and respect for sovereign borders. It exposes the continued arrogance of U.S. imperialism, which seeks to dominate nations through force, intimidation, and illegal coercive measures."
According to the statement, the incident fits into what the group called a long-standing pattern of economic warfare, illegal sanctions and military threats directed at Venezuela, aimed at undermining its independence and punishing countries that pursue cooperation outside U.S. influence.
The organisation warned that such actions not only harm the Venezuelan people but also set a dangerous precedent for international relations, particularly for developing countries.
According to the organisation, "We condemn this seizure as part of a long-standing campaign of economic strangulation, illegal sanctions, and military threats aimed at subjugating Venezuela and punishing nations that choose to engage in sovereign cooperation outside U.S. control.
"Such acts endanger global peace and further destabilize international relations, particularly in the Global South.
"We view this reported incident as part of a broader pattern of aggression, illegal sanctions, and economic warfare directed at Venezuela, aimed at undermining its independence and development.
"Such actions not only harm the Venezuelan people but also set a dangerous precedent for international relations, especially for countries in the Global South."
The campaign demanded the immediate release of all seized vessels and their crews, an end to what it termed U.S. aggression and sanctions against Venezuela, and decisive international action to hold Washington accountable for alleged violations of international law.
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria demands: "The immediate release of all seized vessels and crews.
An end to all acts of aggression, sanctions, and military provocations against Venezuela.
"Firm international action to hold the United States accountable for violations of international law."
It also called on African governments, progressive movements and defenders of national sovereignty to resist what it described as the normalisation of maritime coercion and economic intimidation.
"We call on African nations, progressive movements, and all defenders of sovereignty to rise in solidarity against imperialist aggression and reject the normalization of maritime coercion and economic warfare.
"Nigeria’s own history of resistance to colonial domination compels us to stand decisively with Venezuela and all nations resisting imperialism. Silence in the face of such lawlessness is complicity.
"We reaffirm our unbreakable solidarity with the people and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and with all nations confronting imperialism and defending their right to self-determination."
The statement was jointly signed by Gerald O. Katchy, National Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights; Dimeji Macaulay, Coordinator of the Anti-Fascist Movement; Blessing Yusuf, FCT Chairperson of the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON); and Abiodun Emmanuel Fayemi, Head of the African Farmers and Agricultural Practitioners (AFAP).