The United States’ move to ‘attack’ Venezuela and capture its president, Nicolas Maduro, has invoked strong reactions from China, which shares a close relationship with the South American country.
China slams US over Venezuela actions (Photo courtesy IANS)
The United States’ move to ‘attack’ Venezuela and capture its president, Nicolas Maduro, has invoked strong reactions from China, which shares a close relationship with the South American country.
While China has on record criticised the US for its actions in Venezuela, which has the world’s biggest oil reserves, urging it to abide by international law and the UN principles, it has used more stern words in remarks made without any direct reference to the US.
Advertisement
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking to his Pakistani counterpart at a meeting in Beijing on Sunday, said his government does not accept any country acting as a “world judge” or “world police”.
Advertisement
China, which calls Venezuela an “all-weather ally”, said the sovereignty of all countries must be protected under international law.
“We have never believed that any country can act as the world’s police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world’s judge,” Wang said, in reference to “sudden developments in Venezuela” but choosing not to mention the US.
“The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law,” he added.
At the UN Security Council meeting on Monday as well, China criticised the US’s unilateral actions. Its charge d’affaires at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Sun Lei said: “The lessons of history offer a stark warning. Military means are not the solution to problems, and the indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises.”
During the debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres too criticised the US actions, warning it could set “a dangerous precedent”.
The US military’s move to conduct strikes in Caracas and other parts of Venezuela early Saturday and then capture the country’s president stunned the world, and left countries – both allies and opponents – scrambling for reactions.
Maduro was flown out of Venezuela following his capture, along with his wife, and taken to New York where he was charged with narco-terrorism. Maduro has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
Images of the 63-year-old Maduro, blindfolded and handcuffed, beamed across the world, left countries wondering about the extent of US actions in relation to its geopolitical goals.
It is pertinent to note that Trump has already issued more warnings to several countries, including those in Latin America and Iran, where people are protesting against the regime over several issues, particularly economic hardship. At least 35 people had died in Iran amid the ongoing protests.
Trump has threatened military action against Colombia and Mexico, while stating that the Communist regime in Cuba is “ready to fall” on its own.
Trump’s warning puts to test China’s sway and influence as the Asian power has formed strategic alliances with several countries in Latin America under the Global Security Initiative.
China had deepened its ties with Venezuela in particular over the last three decades, investing money into the South American country’s oil refineries and infrastructure. China’s investments particularly helped Caracas, especially in the wake of the US tightening its sanctions in 2017.
However, with Trump mincing no words in stating that the US will “run” Venezuela and that his government was “in charge” of the country, other world powers, particularly China and Russia, have been forced to re-examine their strategies and positioning. This especially in view of the fact that global geopolitical and diplomatic equations have already been upended in Trump’s second term and Washington’s actions in Venezuela have further altered the rulebook as far as the US’s global goals are concerned.
Advertisement
