Multiple nations criticize US over Venezuela oil tanker blockade

China

Multiple nations criticize US over Venezuela oil tanker blockade

2025-12-18 16:33 Last Updated At：20:37

The United States escalated tensions with Venezuela on Tuesday by ordering a "full and complete blockade" on all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, a move promptly condemned by multiple nations for heightening regional instability.

In response to the U.S. action, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum called for the United Nations to intervene on Wednesday to prevent a further escalation. Mexico opposes external interference in Venezuela's affairs in any form, she stated at a press conference, urging the United Nations to fulfill its duty to prevent any bloodshed.

Brazil also voiced strong concern. Celso Amorim, Chief Special Advisor to the Brazilian President, told local media that the U.S.-Venezuela tensions are "extremely worrying."

He criticized the U.S. threats against Venezuela and other South American nations as detrimental to regional security and stability, emphasizing the continent's commitment to peace, dialog, and resolving disputes through political and diplomatic means.

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Kamla Persad-Bissessar clarified her country's position on Wednesday. She stated that the U.S. had not requested assistance regarding the blockade and that Trinidad and Tobago "has no intention of being drawn into any conflict."

While affirming solidarity with the Venezuelan people, she stressed that the nation's priority is combating "drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling."

The prime minister also said that the country's permission for the U.S. military aircraft to enter local airports is only temporary.

This statement followed Venezuela's criticism of Trinidad and Tobago for recently granting the U.S. temporary permission to use its airports for military aircraft, which the Venezuelan side described as part of a "hostile agenda" and an act of aggression.

Iran's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the U.S. move as "systematic bullying and coercion," equating it to "international piracy" and "armed robbery at sea."

The statement warned that U.S. "aggressive unilateralism" threatens global peace and security, calling on the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and responsible governments to denounce illegal coercive measures of the United States and hold it accountable for its blatant violations of international law and the UN Charter.

China expects EU to restrain using restrictive tools in trade

China hopes the European Union (EU) to restrain and show prudence in using restrictive tools in trade, said He Yadong, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

"China always believes that China-Europe economic and trade relations are to complement each other's advantages, mutually beneficial, and win-win cooperation by nature. China-Europe economic and trade cooperation is the outcome of joint action of multiple factors, including industrial structure differences unique to each side's stages of economic development and changes in market demands," said He.

"We have noticed that the EU has constantly intensified restrictions on economic and trade with China in the recent time, and has launched 12 trade remedy investigations and 3 foreign subsidies investigations against China this year. It has also blocked multiple Chinese enterprises from participating in its member states' public procurement and greenfield investment. We hope that the EU will work with China to uphold the important consensus reached at the meetings between Chinese and EU leaders, jointly oppose trade protectionism, maintain open markets, restrain and remain prudent in using restrictive tools in trade, and provide a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory, and predictable business environment for Chinese enterprises to engage in trade and investment cooperation in Europe," said He.