Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday that China urges the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife at once and resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation.
Mao made the remarks in response to a media query about recent U.S. sanctions against Venezuela, framing the events against the backdrop of more than a decade of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela.
"China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a legal basis in international law or the authorization of the United Nations Security Council, and is against interference by external forces in Venezuela's internal affairs under any pretext. The U.S.' act of forcibly detaining President Maduro and his wife is a clear violation of international law and the fundamental norms of international relations, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," said the spokeswomen.
"China once again urges the U.S. to immediately release President Maduro and his wife and settle the matter through dialogue and talks," she said.
China urges US to immediately release Maduro, his wife: spokeswoman
China urges US to immediately release Maduro, his wife: spokeswoman
Shell-shocked residents in a northern Venezuelan port city which was targeted by the U.S. military have recounted the terrifying moments when the bombings hit their local community.
The U.S. military launched a series of attacks against Venezuela early Saturday morning, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife before putting them in custody in New York.
Venezuela's interior ministry said on Wednesday that 100 people were killed in the attacks which have drawn widespread international condemnation and raised serious concerns worldwide.
Catia La Mar, a port city in the state of La Guaira to the north of the capital Caracas, was one of the places hit by the U.S. military strikes. Residents there have been left grappling with anxiety and fear since the overnight bombings took place, with many left traumatized by the ordeal.
"Where we were attacked, one of our buildings suffered severe damage. Eight of the 16 families were severely affected. There were people injured and one person dead. Well, that's an experience I wouldn't wish on anyone. We were sleeping and we suddenly felt something -- first noises, then whooshing sounds, and then explosions. We thought the buildings were going to fall onto us," said a local resident.
Others described the sense of panic as they were awoken during the night and said they ran for their lives.
"The moment the missile hit, I turned around in despair and what I saw was an orange sky. The whole building collapsed around us; we couldn't get out. We got up. We couldn't even see through the smoke. We grabbed the dogs, we got out through a small hole and we started calling for help," said a resident.
"It was a horrible thing. It was two in the morning, everyone was sleeping. We never expected any of this; it's truly a very sad thing. I am filled with rage because I feel helpless. Right now we all feel nervous, we can hardly sleep at night because every noise we hear, we feel like an explosion is coming," another resident said.
Residents recall harrowing moments when US bombs hit Venezuelan port city
