China opposes military intervention in Venezuela

World
Europe

02:07

The Chinese envoy to the United Nations said on Tuesday that China opposes military intervention in Venezuela.

"China maintains that all countries should abide by the basic principles of international law and international relations, opposes foreign interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela, and opposes military intervention in Venezuela," Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on the situation in Venezuela.

The meeting was at the request of the United States, which attempted to push for the UN Security Council to vote this week on a draft resolution calling for elections in Venezuela and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Members of the United Nations Security Council gather during a meeting about the situation in Venezuela, in New York, on February 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Speaking ahead of a council meeting on Venezuela, the U.S. special envoy for Venezuela, Elliott Abrams, also told reporters Washington would impose more sanctions on “high-ranking members of the regime and their financial affairs” this week and next.

Russia and the United States have been at loggerheads over a U.S.-led campaign for international recognition of Juan Guaido, the Venezuelan opposition leader, over President Nicholas Maduro. Guaido last month declared himself the interim head of state.

Elliott Abrams, the US envoy for Venezuela, speaks to the United Nations Security Council meeting on Venezuela in New York, on February 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Earlier this month the United States proposed a draft Security Council resolution, which prompted Russia to propose a rival text that makes no reference to elections or aid. A resolution needs nine votes in favor by the 15-member council and no vetoes by Russia, China, France, Britain or the United States to pass.

"China opposes using the issue of so-called humanitarian assistance for political purposes to create disability or even turbulence inside Venezuela and in the neighboring region," the Chinese ambassador said. It serves no party's interest, he added.

China pays close attention to the current situation in Venezuela, Ma said, adding that China supports the efforts of the Venezuelan government to safeguard sovereignty, independence and stability.

"China calls on the government and the opposition of Venezuela, within the constitutional and legal frameworks, to seek a political settlement through dialogue and consultation," he said.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza speaks to the United Nations Security Council meeting on Venezuela at the United Nations in New York, on February 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza told the Security Council that a U.S.-led campaign to oust Maduro had failed. “That was the last chapter in the coup on Saturday,” he said. “Read my lips - it failed. Now is the time for us to return to sanity.”

Guaido crossed into Colombia on Saturday in preparation for efforts to move aid over the border to Venezuela. He then met with members of the Lima Group, a bloc of nations from Argentina to Canada, on Monday in Bogota.

"What took place on Saturday was reminiscent not of assistance but what is called force-feeding in the United States," Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council. "The U.S. authorities now decided to force feed a whole country."

Nebenzia also questioned what other countries would have done if confronted with "an attempted illegal state border crossing for the delivery of unknown cargo."

"One country even wants to build a huge wall on the border of another country to prevent an illegal border crossing," he said, referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido (L) in XI Lima Group meeting in Bogota, Colombia, on February 25, 2019. /VCG Photo

UN Political Affairs Chief Rosemary DiCarlo said the world body was concerned by Venezuela's serious humanitarian problems.

"Available information depicts a grim reality with the economy continuing to deteriorate, people dying of preventable causes and leaving the country in search of assistance," she told the council.

Abrams also denied Russian accusations that the United States is preparing to intervene militarily in Venezuela, but reiterated that Trump has said all options are on the table in dealing with Venezuela.

Source(s): Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency