Xi Jinping takes veiled swipe at US over Venezuela power grab
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has issued a veiled criticism of the United States, accusing major powers of engaging in “unilateral and bullying actions,” following developments in Venezuela that Beijing has strongly opposed.
According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Xi said the world was experiencing “changes and turbulence not seen in a century,” warning that bullying behaviour was undermining the international order. He called on powerful countries to respect the development paths chosen by other nations and to uphold international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, days after China criticised Washington over what it described as the forcible removal and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States. Beijing has portrayed the episode as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.
China earlier said it was “deeply shocked” by US actions against Venezuela and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. It accused Washington of using force against a sovereign state in violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations.
Beijing has consistently maintained that Venezuela has the right to pursue economic cooperation with other countries without external interference. China has been one of Venezuela’s closest allies and its largest oil buyer, even as the South American nation faced US sanctions.
The reported fall of the Maduro government and his capture by US forces have been described by Chinese officials as a major setback for Beijing, which built strong strategic ties with Caracas during the presidency of Hugo Chavez. Over the past two decades, China has deepened its partnership with Venezuela through political alignment, energy cooperation, and shared opposition to US and Western influence in Latin America.
China is also Venezuela’s largest investor and lender, having extended tens of billions of dollars in oil-backed loans.