Russia and China Condemn US Sanctions on Venezuela

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Unilaterally imposed sanctions are flagrantly illegal at all times with no allowed exceptions.

Security Council members alone may impose them, not individual nations against others - fundamental international law Washington ignores.

It imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Venezuela. Obama disgracefully declared the country a threat to US national security by executive order, sanctioning seven Maduro government officials at the same time.

His order followed a foiled US February 2015 coup plot, aiming to replace Bolivarian social democracy with fascist tyranny - the same diabolical scheme ongoing now under Trump - one of many examples of US imperial viciousness.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova blasted tough new US financial sanctions, saying "(w)e categorically reject unilateral sanctions against sovereign States." 

"(F)inancial pressure on Venezuela is clearly aimed at further unbalancing the situation in the country, and exacerbating its economic problems."

"They embolden the irreconcilables who do not see how they can realize their political potential without removing the Venezuelan leaders from office." 

"The actions of the people behind the sanctions are steeped in cynicism," exacerbated by Trump's military threat, America waging political and economic war on the country, along with CIA-orchestrated street violence.

Zakharova asked what do US sanctions hope to achieve? "Are they supposed to benefit the Venezuelan economy? Clearly, the very logic of sanctions implies further increasing tensions."

Russia strongly opposes US actions jeopardizing Venezuelan sovereignty, Zakharova adding "(w)e will will carefully analyze the implications of the sanctions imposed by the United States, and their possible effect on the interests of Russia and Russian businesses."

"We can already say that they will not affect our willingness to expand and strengthen cooperation with the friendly nation of Venezuela and its people."

Russia and other nations can best help by refusing to recognize unilaterally imposed illegal US sanctions against any country - keeping their relationships with them unchanged.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying denounced the new sanctions, saying "(t)he present problem in Venezuela should be resolved by the Venezuelan government and the people themselves" - free from foreign intervention, illegal under international law for any reason except self-defense if attacked, Chunying adding:

"The experience of history shows that outside interference or unilateral sanctions will make the situation even more complicated and will not help resolve the actual problem."

China's political and economic relationship with Venezuela remains unchanged. New oil deals may be announced ahead.

Regional nations strongly criticized Trump's military threat, condemning possible US war in Latin America.

Venezuelan fascists expressed support for tough new US financial sanctions, a deplorable statement saying:

"Sanctions against those who are vagrants, human rights violators, and looters of public resources will always have our support, in the absence of impartial justice in Venezuela," adding:

"We request all of the international community to warn their respective citizens and companies that they must abstain from carrying out financial operations or contracts of national interest with the Venezuelan government that violate the national constitution for not being approved by… the National Assembly."

The fascist controlled parliament remains in contempt of court for seating three of its members accused of voter fraud.

Its leadership urged the international community and major banks to cut ties to the country, isolating it, denying it the ability to raise money through bond offerings and other means.

Venezuela's Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza blasted new US financial sanctions, calling them "the worst aggression towards (his country) in the last 200 years," adding:

"We will protect our people and our democracy with all means we have."

The world community should rally to Venezuela's defense - telling Washington its relationship to the country remains unchanged.

The best way to counter US imperialism is by refusing to go along with it - waging peace and cooperative relations with all nations instead supporting imperial rage to dominate them.

Last Sunday, Venezuela's democratically elected National Constituent Assembly said it will announce a plan of action on Friday, responding to US "aggression."

Venezuelan planning minister Ricardo Menendez said it's time to cut ties with Washington to counter its attempted domination of the country.

President Maduro said new US sanctions mark the beginning of "post-domination by the United States, with Venezuela again at the center of this struggle for dignity and liberation," adding:

US hostility toward the country will fail just like Washington's  blockade of Cuba for over half a century, unsuccessful in toppling its government, making the nation more resilient and self-sufficient.

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