China stern response to Trump action in Venezuela ‘No nation can act as world’s police or judge’
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – China on Tuesday has invoked strong reactions on the US move to ‘attack’ Venezuela and capture its president, Nicolas Maduro, which Beijing shares a close relationship, media reported.
China has on record criticized the US for its actions in Venezuela, which has the world’s biggest oil reserves, urged 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.
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, was 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”.
Beijing 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.
China criticized the US’s unilateral actions at the UNSC meeting on Venezuela crisis on Monday.
The charge d’affaires at the Permanent Mission to the UN 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.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres too criticized the US actions, warning it could set “a dangerous precedent”.
US President Donald Trump leashed military action against Nicolar Maduro, his wife Flores 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 after 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.
The 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.
Trump has 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.
In Iran protests at least 35 people had died.
Trump has threatened military action against Colombia and Mexico, stated that the Communist regime in Cuba is “ready to fall” on its own.
His 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 helped Caracas in the wake of the US tightening its sanctions in 2017.
Trump said that the US will “run” Venezuela and that his government was “in charge” of the country.
China, Russia, and many other world powers have been forced to re-examine their strategies and positioning.
The global geopolitical and diplomatic equations have been upended in Trump’s second term and Washington’s actions in Venezuela have altered the rulebook as far as the US’s global goals are concerned.
