China calls for ‘constructive’ help for Venezuela

BEIJING: China hopes that the international community can provide ‘constructive’ help to Venezuela based on respect for the country’s sovereignty, the foreign ministry said yesterday, after Venezuelan troops repelled foreign aid convoys.

Violent clashes between security forces and a US-backed opposition attempt on Saturday to bring aid into the economically devastated country left almost 300 wounded and at least three protesters dead near the Brazilian border.

The United States has threatened new sanctions and Brazil has urged allies to join a ‘liberation effort’.

China hopes Venezuela can

We again call on the government and opposition in Venezuela to seek a political resolution under the framework of the constitution and law, and call on the international community to do more that really benefits Venezuela’s stability, economic development and improvement in livelihoods.

remain peaceful and calm, the Foreign Ministry said, and reiterated Beijing’s opposition to foreign interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs or the use of “socalled ‘humanitarian aid’ for political aims”.

“We again call on the government and opposition in Venezuela to seek a political resolution under the framework of the constitution and law, and call on the international community to do more that really benefits Venezuela’s stability, economic development and improvement in livelihoods,” the ministry said.

“China hopes the international community can provide constructive help to Venezuela under the precondition of respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty,” it added.

Juan Guaido, recognised by most Western nations as Venezuela’s legitimate leader, has urged foreign powers to consider ‘all options’ in ousting President Nicolas Maduro, ahead of a meeting of the regional Lima Group of nations in Bogota on Monday that will be attended by US Vice President Mike Pence.

Maduro retains the backing of both Russia and China.

Beijing has lent more than US$50 billion to Venezuela through oilfor-loan agreements over the past decade, securing energy supplies for its fast-growing economy. — Reuters

China’s Foreign Ministry

Demonstrators clash with Venezuelan National Guard forces at the Simon Bolivar international bridge – linking Cucuta with Venezuelan city San Antonio del Tachira- in Cucuta, Colombia. — AFP photo

Venezuelan soldiers Jean Carlos Cesar Parra (right) and Jorge Luis Gonzalez Romero speak with the press after seeking refuge in Brazil, at the Brazil-Venezuela border, in Pacaraima, Roraima state, Brazil. — AFP photo

A burnt truck, that was used to transport humanitarian aid, is seen on the Francisco de Paula Santander cross-border bridge between Colombia and Venezuela. — Reuters photo

Members ofVenezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard protect themselves from demonstrators throwing stones from under the Francisco de Paula Santander international bridge in Urena, Venezuela, border with Colombia. — AFP photo