China on Friday urged the United States to stop escalating tensions in Latin America and the Caribbean using the excuse of anti-narcotics operations.
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) emergency meeting requested by Venezuela on recent deadly U.S. attacks on four alleged drug boats off Venezuelan coast, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that such moves from the United States have escalated tensions in the region.
"The U.S. unilateral and excessive enforcement operations against other country's vessels in so-called international waters infringe on relevant personnel's right to life and other basic human rights. They pose a threat to the freedom and security of navigation in relevant waters, and can potentially undermine the freedom of high sea enjoyed by all countries in accordance with law. These acts severely infringe on other countries' sovereignty, security, and lawful rights and interests, gravely violate international law, and threaten regional peace and security. We are deeply concerned about this situation and will closely follow the developments," said Fu.
China opposes any act that violates the purposes and principles of UN Charter and other countries' sovereignty and security, said Fu, adding that China also opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, and opposes the interference of external forces in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext.
"China urges the United States to immediately cease relevant acts to avoid further escalation of the situation, and urges it stop using the excuse of anti-narcotics operations to jeopardize other countries' navigational security and the freedom and rights they enjoy under international law. China has always supported efforts to combat transnational crimes through stronger international cooperation, and urges the U.S. to carry out law enforcement and judicial cooperation under bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks," he said.
Latin American and Caribbean countries are independent sovereign states, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States declared the region a zone of peace in 2014, said Fu.
Recently, a number of countries in the region have voiced grave concerns over and condemed the U.S. actions, calling for concerted efforts from the international community to defuse the tensions while urging the United States to cease hostile activities and maintain peace in Latin America and the Caribbean, Fu said.
Fu also expressed the hope that the United States will heed the calls of regional countries and safeguard in earnest the peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
China urges US to stop escalating tensions in Latin America, Caribbean
China urges US to stop escalating tensions in Latin America, Caribbean
