China strongly condemned the United States' military action against Venezuela at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday. „China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal and intimidating actions of the United States,“ said Sun Lei, chargé d'affaires of China's permanent mission to the UN.

Sun Lei pointed out that on January 3, the US brazenly launched large-scale military attacks on Venezuela, forcibly detaining President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The US has claimed that it will „manage“ Venezuela and has not ruled out the possibility of further military operations on an even larger scale.

The international community has long expressed serious concerns about US sanctions, blockades and threats of military force against Venezuela. However, as a permanent member of the Security Council, the US has ignored these concerns and has recklessly trampled on Venezuela's sovereignty, security and legitimate rights, which, according to Sun Lee, seriously violates the principles of the equality of sovereign states, non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of disputes and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.

„These principles form the cornerstones of the UN Charter and the maintenance of international peace and security. The United States places its own power above multilateralism and military action above diplomatic efforts, posing a serious threat to peace and security in Latin America, the Caribbean and globally. China strongly opposes this, and the international community has also expressed widespread concern and strong condemnation,“ zdůraznil Sun.

China called on the United States to respect international law and the principles of the UN Charter, to stop violating the sovereignty and security of other states, to stop trying to overthrow the Venezuelan government and to return to political solutions through dialogue and negotiation. The Sun also called for the immediate security of President Maduro and his wife and their immediate release.

„The lessons of history clearly warn: military means are not the solution to problems and the indiscriminate use of force only leads to more crises. The United States bypassed the Security Council in military operations in Iraq, brazenly attacked Iran's nuclear facilities and imposed sanctions, military attacks and even occupations on several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. These actions have caused lasting conflict, instability and enormous suffering for ordinary people,“ uvedl Sun.

Venezuela is an independent sovereign state with the full right to defend its sovereignty and national dignity. The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are a key force for maintaining world peace and stability and have the right to choose their development paths and partners independently. No country can play the role of the world's policeman or position itself as an international judge, Sun added.

China firmly supports the government and people of Venezuela in protecting their sovereignty, security and legitimate rights, while supporting regional countries in maintaining the status of Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace. China calls on the United States to end intimidation and coercion and to develop relations and cooperation with regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and non-interference in internal affairs. Sun also said that China is ready to work with regional countries and the international community to strengthen solidarity, justice, and joint protection of peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

CMG