China, Russia clash with US at UN meeting over Venezuela oil seizures and naval pressure

China accused the United States at the United Nations on Tuesday of violating international law and destabilising the Caribbean region, as Washington defended its seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers and vowed to intensify pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council requested by Venezuela and backed by China and Russia, Beijing said US actions carried out under the banner of counter-narcotics enforcement amounted to unilateral coercion and a direct challenge to the principles of sovereignty and freedom of navigation.

“The US actions and the rhetoric have led to continued tensions in the region, raising serious concerns among regional countries and the international community,” said Sun Lei, deputy permanent representative of China to the UN.

“The US actions seriously infringe upon other countries’ sovereignty, security and the legitimate rising interests.”

The meeting came as the Trump administration escalated a maritime campaign in the Caribbean that has included the interception of Venezuelan oil tankers and a major US military deployment near Venezuela’s coast.

  

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