China has condemned the US threats to and aggression against Venezuela and reaffirmed its support for the government of President Maduro.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council Briefing held on December 23, 2025, Ambassador Sun Lei began by stating that China appreciates Slovenia’s presidency for convening the emergency meeting requested by Venezuela and supported by Russia, China, and other countries.
He stated that: “For some time now, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the United States has continued to increase its military deployment in the waters of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. It has escalated sanctions, blockades, and military threats against Venezuela and claimed to have sunk Venezuelan vessels, shot dead crew members, and seized oil tankers. It has designated the Venezuelan Government as a foreign terrorist organisation, claimed that Venezuela’s territory, oil, and assets belong to the United States, and even threatened military strikes against the Venezuelan territory.
“The US actions seriously infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, seriously violate the UN Charter and international law, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
The Chinese representative went on to note that: “As an independent sovereign state, Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and defend its legitimate rights and interest, which should be respected and supported by the international community. China opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity. We stand against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringes upon other countries’ sovereignty and security, against the threat or use of force in international relations, against external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext, and against illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorisation by the Security Council.”
The following is the full text of Ambassador Sun Lei’s remarks. They were originally published on the website of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN.
President,
China appreciates Slovenia’s presidency for convening this emergency meeting requested by Venezuela and supported by Russia, China, and other countries. We thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing.
For some time now, under the pretext of combating drug trafficking, the United States has continued to increase its military deployment in the waters of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela. It has escalated sanctions, blockades, and military threats against Venezuela and claimed to have sunk Venezuelan vessels, shot dead crew members, and seized oil tankers. It has designated the Venezuelan Government as a foreign terrorist organization, claimed that Venezuela’s territory, oil, and assets belong to the United States, and even threatened military strikes against the Venezuelan territory. The US actions and rhetoric have led to continued tensions in the region, raising serious concerns among regional countries and the international community.
The UN Charter establishes the fundamental principles of governing international relations, including sovereign equality, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful settlement of disputes. They constitute the cornerstone of international rule of law and are crucial for maintaining world peace and security. The US actions seriously infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, seriously violate the UN Charter and international law, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. More and more countries in the region and beyond have voiced their grave concern about and strong condemnation of the US actions. We note that Secretary-General Guterres has clearly stated the need for all countries to respect international law and the UN Charter, exercise restraint, and deescalate tensions to preserve regional stability, and his readiness for good offices to this end.
China attaches importance to President Maduro’s recent open letter. As an independent sovereign state, Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and defend its legitimate rights and interest, which should be respected and supported by the international community. China opposes all acts of unilateralism and bullying, and supports all countries in defending their sovereignty and national dignity. We stand against any move that violates the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringes upon other countries’ sovereignty and security, against the threat or use of force in international relations, against external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext, and against illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law or authorization by the Security Council. We call the United States to heed the just call of the international community, immediately halt relevant actions, and avoid further escalation of tensions. We urge the United States to uphold the navigation safety of regional countries and the freedom and rights they enjoy under international law, to conduct normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation under bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks, to lift illicit unilateral sanctions, and to do more to promote peace, stability, and development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
President,
Latin America and the Caribbean constitute an important part of the Global South and are a vital force in maintaining world peace and stability and promoting global development and prosperity. China recently released its third policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, reaffirming its support for the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and the Declaration of the Member States of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean. This fully demonstrates the high importance attached to and the support by China for the region. China stands ready to work with countries in the region to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Thank you, President.
