This combination of pictures created on December 17, 2025, shows UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres addressing the audience during a press conference, part of the 16th United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ministerial conference, in Geneva on October 22, 2025, and Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gesturing during a press conference in Caracas, on September 1st, 2025. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on December 17, 2025, held telephone talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres over the "escalation of threats against Venezuela" from Washington, which has announced a partial blockade on Venezuelan oil shipments.