China warns more sanctions against Venezuela ‘will only bring the law of the jungle’
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi says future of Venezuela is for its people to decide
- Cooperation with Beijing in Americas ‘does not target other parties’
China’s foreign minister on Friday warned against extending punitive measures on Venezuela as it confronted a deep political crisis and as the United States pushed to expand its own sanctions on the South American country.
On the sidelines of China’s annual legislative meetings, Wang Yi stressed the importance of not interfering in Venezuela’s domestic affairs, an apparent reference to efforts by US President Donald Trump’s administration to remove Nicolas Maduro and install opposition leader Juan Guaido as president.
“It is up to the people of a country to decide its internal affairs,” Wang said. “External interference and sanctions will only aggravate tensions and bring the law of the jungle.
“There have been plenty of such lessons in history and they should not be repeated,” he said. “In China’s view, the sovereignty and independence of every country is precious and must be cherished and preserved in equal measure.”
The United States and more than 50 other countries have recognised Guaido, president of the National Assembly of Venezuela, as the country’s legitimate president, citing international criticism that Maduro’s election was “illegitimate”.
