Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria Condemns Alleged U.S. Seizure of Chinese Vessels

Maryam Aminu

The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria has condemned what it described as the seizure of Chinese commercial vessels by the United States within Venezuelan territorial waters, accusing Washington of maritime piracy and violations of international law.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the group said the reported action amounted to “imperial aggression” against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and an infringement on the commercial rights of the People’s Republic of China.

The campaign maintained that Venezuela, as a sovereign nation, has the right to control its territorial waters and engage in lawful trade with any country of its choosing.

According to the group, any unilateral military or coercive action taken without international authorization undermines the United Nations Charter and threatens global peace and stability.

It further alleged that the incident forms part of a broader pattern of economic sanctions, military threats, and coercive measures aimed at Venezuela and its international partners.

The campaign argued that such actions disproportionately affect countries in the Global South and set a dangerous precedent for international relations.

It warned that continued pressure on Venezuela could further destabilize global affairs and harm civilian populations.
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria called for the immediate release of all seized vessels and crew members, an end to sanctions and military provocations against Venezuela, and international accountability for alleged violations of international law.

It also urged African nations, civil society groups, and pro-sovereignty movements to speak out against what it termed the normalization of maritime coercion and economic warfare. Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s anti-colonial history, the group said African countries have a moral obligation to oppose actions they view as neo-imperialism.

The statement was jointly endorsed 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).