Russia has criticised the United Nations Security Council for continuing monthly monitoring of ship attacks in the Red Sea, arguing similar attention should be given to incidents in the Caribbean, reported Reuters.

The council on Wednesday asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide monthly reports for another six months on attacks by Yemen's Houthi group against vessels in the Red Sea. Monitoring has been in place for two years.

Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said the council should instead consider focusing on commercial shipping attacks in the Caribbean.

Since September, the United States has carried out about 20 strikes against vessels it said were linked to drug trafficking off Venezuela, killing more than 80 people. The US also seized five oil tankers to limit Venezuelan exports.

Deputy US Ambassador Jennifer Locetta said the resolution reinforced the council's duty to remain alert to the Houthi threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. She stressed maritime security was vital to international peace.

The Security Council first acted in January 2024 after Houthi attacks disrupted Red Sea shipping, forcing companies to reroute vessels and raising concerns about energy and food prices.

The Houthis had claimed they were targeting ships linked to Israel during the Gaza war, though many vessels attacked had no connection. No new attacks have been reported in recent months.