ALWAGHT- Beijing has called on Washington to cease interference in Venezuela, criticizing US naval maneuvers as a threat to sovereignty and regional stability.
China sharply criticized the US military deployment near Venezuela, warning that it undermines regional peace and stability and urging Washington to refrain from interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the US actions violate international law and infringe on the sovereignty and legitimate rights of other countries.
The tensions follow an incident in which the US Navy destroyer USS Jason Dunham boarded a Venezuelan fishing vessel, the Carmen Rosa, within Venezuela’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Eighteen armed personnel occupied the vessel for eight hours, cutting communications and disrupting the work of nine authorized fishermen, prompting condemnation from Caracas as an illegal and hostile provocation.
Analysts and Venezuelan officials argue that US deployments of destroyers and warplanes under the pretext of counter-narcotics operations exceed what is necessary for anti-smuggling patrols. President Nicolás Maduro and military authorities claim these actions aim to intimidate Venezuela, destabilize its government, and revive failed regime-change policies, framing the maneuvers as gunboat diplomacy.
The escalation, including previous US strikes on vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, has drawn widespread criticism for blurring the line between policing and acts of war. Venezuela reaffirmed its commitment to peace while emphasizing it will defend its sovereignty and maritime security, warning that US actions endanger regional stability and put both Venezuelans and American personnel at risk.
