United Nations, August 4 (RHC)-- Venezuela's ambassador to the United Nations, Samuel Moncada, denounced the economic blockade and the "theft" carried out "on a worldwide scale" by Washington, saying it was consistent with a crime against humanity.

"We reject the horrific perspective of endless war and demand the implementation of the UN Charter.  We call on Trump to stop this imminent war," said the diplomat one day after Trump told reporters his administration was considering a naval blockade on Venezuela.

Speaking at a special session of the United Nations Security Council, Samuel Moncada said: "Today we come to denounce the United States for generating famine in our country, imposing collective punishment through economic terrorism by illegally appropriating mining and monetary funds," referring to the criminal action of appropriating CITGO funds in the United States.

On Friday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro strongly rejected the threat of U.S. President Donald Trump to impose a naval blockade or a so-called "quarantine" against Venezuela, meaning the U.S. would try to stop ships from going in or out Venezuelan waters.

"Venezuela as a whole, in a civil society and military forces union, repudiates and rejects the declarations of Donald Trump of an alleged quarantine, of an alleged naval blockade.  

"The seas of Venezuela will be free, sovereign and independent (...) and we will navigate them as we decide," President Maduro emphasized.  He noted that the Bolivarian Government was preparing a formal complaint to the Security Council of the United Nations. 

On Thursday, when asked by a reporter whether he was considering such a measure, Trump said: "Yes, I am" -- refusing to give further details.  The next day, on Friday, a senior U.S. official said Trump's word on the issue should be taken "very seriously," but that the administration did not want to give away "the element of surprise."