Venezuela formally condemned the impact of US unilateral coercive measures on its health system at the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva on 21 May, asserting that the restrictions have severely hampered access to medical supplies, medicines, and equipment. The denunciation came as the country's delegation made its case before the World Health Organization (WHO) forum, drawing global attention to what Caracas describes as an ongoing humanitarian crisis driven by external pressure.

Venezuela's Position at the WHO Forum

Mauricio Vega, Venezuela's Vice Minister of Hospitals, led the country's delegation and addressed the assembly directly. He argued that the US-imposed restrictions have not only disrupted the supply chain for medical goods but have also affected the availability of health personnel, compounding an already strained system.

'Health is a fundamental human right, not a commodity,' Vega said, framing the country's public health model around principles of equity and primary care.

Brain Drain and Disease Resurgence Concerns

Vega acknowledged that Venezuela has witnessed a notable decline in health professionals due to mass migration in recent years. In response, the government says it has strengthened training programmes to produce a new generation of medical workers.

He also warned of the potential resurgence of diseases that had previously been brought under control, citing structural limitations caused by the sanctions as a key risk factor. This comes amid broader concerns from international health bodies about Venezuela's capacity to manage communicable disease outbreaks.

Demand for Unconditional Removal of Sanctions

Venezuela's delegation called for the 'total and unconditional elimination' of what it describes as inhumane unilateral coercive measures. The Venezuelan Health Ministry confirmed that the delegation's primary mandate was to reaffirm Caracas's stance on the negative humanitarian consequences of these restrictions.

Notably, this is not the first time Venezuela has raised the issue at a multilateral forum — the country has consistently used international platforms to build diplomatic pressure against the sanctions regime.

Sovereignty and Diplomacy: Rodriguez's Remarks

The WHO address came shortly after Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez rejected suggestions at a press conference in The Hague — where she was attending proceedings at the International Court of Justice — that Venezuela could become another US state.

'That is not planned. It would never be planned, because if there is one thing we Venezuelans have, it is love for our process of independence,' Rodriguez said. She also noted that US President Donald Trump 'knows we have been working on a diplomatic agenda of cooperation,' adding that diplomacy remains the path forward.

What Comes Next

Venezuela's appeal at the 79th World Health Assembly is unlikely to result in immediate policy shifts, but it signals Caracas's continued strategy of internationalising its grievances. Whether the WHO forum generates broader member-state support for reviewing the humanitarian impact of unilateral sanctions will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.