Venezuela`s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada

Venezuela has denounced the United States for "extortion" at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, as Russia and China sharply criticized Washington`s military and economic aggression towards Caracas, describing them as intimidation and violations of the international law.

The Tuesday meeting had been requested by Venezuela with the backing of Moscow and Beijing amid rising tensions following increased US military interventionism in the Caribbean and its interception of oil tankers that Washington says are subject to sanctions.

"We are in the presence of a power that acts outside of international law, demanding that Venezuelans vacate our country and hand it over," Venezuela`s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada told the council. "This is the greatest extortion known in our history."

The US has deployed a significant naval force in the region and has recently intercepted Venezuelan oil tankers as part of a blockade. Washington says its actions are aimed at protecting US security interests and enforcing sanctions.

Responding to criticism at the council, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said the United States would "do everything in its power to protect our hemisphere, our borders, and the American people."

US President Donald Trump has accused Venezuela of using oil revenues to finance "narcoterrorism, human trafficking, murders, and kidnappings."

Venezuela has denied any involvement in drug trafficking and argues that the American pressure is aimed at removing President Nicolas Maduro in order to gain control of the country`s oil reserves, which are the largest in the world.

Russia rap`s US`s ‘cowboy-like conduct`

Russia`s Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia described US actions as an "act of aggression," saying they violated fundamental principles of international law.

"The responsibility of Washington is also evident for the constant catastrophic consequences of such cowboy-like conduct," Nebenzia told the council.

China`s representative, Sun Lei, said Beijing opposed "all acts of unilateralism and bullying" and supported countries defending their sovereignty and national dignity.

Waltz, however, reiterated US accusations against Maduro, calling him "a fugitive wanted by American justice" and the leader of what Washington describes as the "Cartel de los Soles."

Experts commenting on the latter`s remarks rebuffed the claims, saying there were no evidence of any organized criminal group with a defined hierarchy operating under that name.

Airstrikes and casualties

Since September, US forces have carried out dozens of air strikes on boats that Washington alleges were transporting drugs. US officials have not publicly provided evidence to support the claims.

According to accounts presented at the meeting, more than 100 people have been killed in the strikes.