Hong Kong Hang Seng Index closes 1.36 pct lower

The Hong Kong stock market ended lower Wednesday with the benchmark Hang Seng Index down 1.36 percent to close at 25,176.93 points.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 1.18 percent to end at 9,038.27 points, and the Hang Seng Tech Index fell 2.72 percent to end at 5,490.76 points.

Venezuelans have strongly slammed the United States for imposing a "complete maritime blockade" on tankers transporting Venezuelan energy. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has sent a message to the United Nations and heads of state of countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region, condemning the U.S. for escalating extremely serious aggressions that not only affect Venezuela but also threaten the stability of the entire region and the international system as a whole.

In the letter, Maduro warned that these attacks will impact "the supply of oil and energy, increase instability in international markets, and damage the economies of Latin America, the Caribbean, and the world." The Venezuelan president called for unity among all parties to confront the U.S. military threats and acts of piracy, condemning the U.S. for violating international law and infringing on human rights.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil read the letter on state television from the Venezuelan foreign ministry headquarters on Monday. The letter stated that condoning such unilateral actions by the United States would undermine regional stability and global energy security.

As scheduled, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the situation in Venezuela on Tuesday.

"The entire world is aware that Venezuela possesses oil reserves, and the United States covets our resources," said a citizen in Caracas.

"This constitutes a form of colonialism that seeks to impose its own standards on other countries and exert control over neighboring nations. It represents a new variant of the Monroe Doctrine," said another citizen in Caracas.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a "full and total blockade" of all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela, declaring Maduro's government a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.

The Pentagon has deployed around a dozen warships, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, a major aircraft carrier, and about 15,000 troops to the Caribbean Sea, which shares a significant amount of coastline with Venezuela. The region has not seen such a massive U.S. military presence for at least three decades.

Venezuela has repeatedly accused Washington of seeking regime change and military expansion in Latin America, condemning the U.S. navy's interception of oil tankers as "piracy."