BEIJING - The Chinese government’s top diplomat issued a stern warning on Friday against interfering in Venezuela and imposing sanctions, saying history offered a clear lesson about not “following the same old disastrous road”.
China has repeatedly called for outsiders not to interfere in Venezuela’s internal affairs and has stuck by embattled President Nicolas Maduro.
Most Western countries have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s legitimate head of state.
The United States has pledged to “expand the net” of sanctions against Venezuela, including more on banks supporting Maduro’s government.
State Councillor Wang Yi, responding to a question on whether China still recognized Maduro or had had contacts with the opposition, said the sovereignty and independence of Latin American countries should be respected.
“The internal affairs of every country should be decided by their own people. External interference and sanctions will only exacerbate the tension situation, and allow the law of the jungle to once again run amok,” Wang said at his annual news conference on the sidelines of China’s parliament meeting. (Reuters)