China voices support for Venezuela's Maduro gov't

China Plus Published: 2019-01-25 09:57:27
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Chinese authorities have voiced support for the government of Nicolas Maduro and called on the international community to create favorable conditions for Venezuela.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing on Thursday that: "We are closely following the current situation of Venezuela and we appeal to all parties involved to remain rational and calm, seeking programs of political settlement to the Venezuelan issue through peaceful dialogue within the framework of Venezuela's constitution."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying speaks during the regular briefing on Jan 24, 2019 in Beijing. [Photo: gov.cn]

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying speaks during the regular briefing on Jan 24, 2019 in Beijing. [Photo: gov.cn]

"China supports the Venezuelan government's efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and stability. China has always followed the principle of non-interference with other countries' internal affairs and opposes any external interventions in Venezuela's affairs. We hope the international community could work together to create favorable conditions for this," Hua added.

Tensions between Caracas and Washington escalated sharply in recent days.

Opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the "interim president" of Venezuela on Wednesday, getting support from a growing number of international governments.

President Nicolas Maduro cut bilateral ties on the same day after the US' official recognition of Guaido.

Maduro also required American diplomats to leave the country within three days, but that call was rejected by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Meantime, US President Donald Trump suggested "all options are on the table," meaning a military intervetion is possible.

Maduro was re-elected last year with close to 70 percent of the vote.

He was sworn in earlier this month for another six-year term.

Amid the rising tumoil, Venezuela's military has reaffirmed support for President Maduro.

Defence Minister Vladimir Lopez says the armed forces would never accept a leader imposed on their country.

"We ratify the strict adherence to the constitution, national laws. As a result, we categorically reject the illegal actions in which a parallel government is attempted to be installed in our country. As well as the treacherous calls from some sectors, ignoring the values and principles that characterize us, they have been formulating to try remove us from the democratic path," Lopez said.

Venezuela's Supreme Court has also pledged support for the embattled President.

Meantime, Russian authorities have accused the US of trying to usurp power in Venezuela.

Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov says the U.S. is trying to act as the arbiter of destinies of sovereign nations.

"We again witness the United States, who are paranoically anxious about someone interfering into their elections without having any evidence try to act as arbiter of destinies of other nations. In reality they just interfere into their internal affairs. It is not the first time in the last few months, it has just been done highly flagrant in Venezuela," Lavrov noted.

Moscow says it has not received a Venezuelan request for military help and declined to say how it would respond if it did.

The Kremlin also confirmed President Vladimir Putin has reiterated support for Maduro during a conversation over the phone.

On Thursday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a political dialogue to end the worsening situation in Venezuela.

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