UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been concerned about the escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, his deputy spokesperson said Thursday.

The UN chief "has been concerned about any escalating tensions regarding the United States and Venezuela and he is concerned by this latest development," said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson, in response to a question at a daily briefing.

"We are calling on all actors to refrain from actions that could further escalate bilateral tensions and destabilize Venezuela and the region," he said, adding that the United Nations urges all parties to honor their obligations under the UN Charter and international law.

Over the past few months, the United States has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean, much of it off Venezuela's coast, purportedly to combat drug trafficking -- a claim Venezuela has denounced as a thinly veiled attempt to bring about regime change in Caracas. ■