China delivered a strongly worded message to the United States on Monday at an “emergency” meeting of the UN Security Council, calling on Washington to abide by international law, end its illusion that it is the world’s police force and court, and immediately release Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
The remarks by Sun Lei, deputy permanent representative of China to the UN, came some 60 hours after the couple was seized in an audacious midnight raid on Saturday at their compound in Caracas and whisked to New York to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.
“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal and bullying acts of the US,” Sun said. “As a permanent member of the Council, the US has disregarded the grave concerns of the international community, wantonly trampled upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, security, independence and interests and seriously violated the principles of foreign equality.”
He added that Washington has also run roughshod over numerous other global norms, including non-interference in internal affairs, the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the prohibition of the use of force in international relations.
03:31
Trump pledges to keep Venezuelan oil flowing to China after Maduro capture
Trump pledges to keep Venezuelan oil flowing to China after Maduro capture
Washington’s UN representative Mike Waltz countered that the US conducted a law enforcement action that did not merit diplomatic oversight, that Maduro was not a legitimate head of state and that his repression and illegal activities have long been recognised.
