China criticized what it described as “unilateral bullying” of Venezuela after the United States ordered a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the South American country, but stopped short of offering concrete assistance or security guarantees to the Maduro regime.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing’s opposition to actions that infringe on national sovereignty during a phone call Wednesday with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout cited by Reuters. Wang said China supports countries in safeguarding their “sovereignty and national dignity,” but did not name the United States or specify how China might assist Venezuela.
The remarks come days after President Donald Trump ordered a complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers as part of an expanded U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. Washington says the measures aim to disrupt drug trafficking, terrorism financing and human trafficking tied to Venezuela’s oil trade.
China is Venezuela’s largest crude buyer, with Venezuelan oil accounting for about 4% of Chinese imports and December shipments expected to average more than 600,000 barrels per day, according to analysts. Beijing has previously extended credit to Caracas through oil-backed loans, though recent support has been more limited.
Russia also warned Washington against the blockade on Thursday, calling it a threat to international shipping, adding that the move could have “unpredictable consequences” for the Western Hemisphere, while reaffirming political support for President Nicolás Maduro. The White House said it was not concerned about Russia’s stance.
Maduro has sought to project international backing in recent weeks, praising ties with China and Russia and saying recent events had strengthened cooperation across sectors including energy and defense. Venezuela has asked the U.N. Security Council to meet over what it calls U.S. “aggression,” a request China said it supports.
However, regional analysts cited by BBC Mundo say backing from Beijing and Moscow has so far remained rhetorical. Fernando Reyes Matta, director of the Center for China Studies at Universidad Andrés Bello, said neither country appears willing to provide meaningful military or economic assistance, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s efforts to stabilize relations with Washington.
Originally published on Latin Times
