China's UN envoy warns US military actions near Venezuela threaten regional peace

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - China sharply criticized the US on Tuesday for increasing its military deployment near Venezuela, warning that Washington's actions have heightened regional tensions and threatened peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

"For some time now, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the United States has continued to increase its military deployment in the waters of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela," said China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sun Lei, at an emergency session of the Security Council on Venezuela.

Sun argued that "the US’s actions and rhetoric have led to continued tensions in the region, raising serious concerns among regional countries and the international community."

He accused Washington of violating international norms, stressing that the US’s actions "seriously infringe upon other countries' sovereignty, security and legitimate rising interests, gravely violate the UN Charter and international law, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean."

According to Sun, opposition to the US measures is growing as "more and more countries in the region and beyond have voiced grave concern about and strong condemnation of the US actions."

He stressed Venezuela's right to manage its own foreign relations, stating that "as an independent sovereign state, Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and defend its legitimate rights and interests, which should be respected and supported by the international community."

Sun said China "opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity," adding that Beijing stands against "the threat or use of force in international relations" and "external interference in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext."

He also rejected "illicit unilateral sanctions and long-armed jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization by the Security Council."

Calling for de-escalation, Sun urged Washington to "immediately halt relevant actions and avoid further escalation of tensions" while appealing to the US to "lift illicit unilateral sanctions" and "do more to promote peace, stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean."

He concluded by emphasizing that Latin America and the Caribbean are "an important part of the Global South and are a vital force in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity."

Since US President Donald Trump declared an oil blockade last week, US forces have seized at least two tankers as they departed from Venezuela, with Trump announcing that Washington would be “keeping it” along with its cargo.

Venezuela has condemned the US actions as "international piracy."

Washington said its measures aim to combat corruption and drug trafficking, while Caracas accuses the US of using anti-narcotics efforts as a pretext to remove President Nicolas Maduro from power and gain control over Venezuela's oil resources.