Beijing: China on Tuesday stated that its relationship with Venezuela is "sovereign," while expressing opposition to "excessive" operations against vessels amidst US activities in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The cooperation between China and Venezuela is independent and not influenced by any third party, affirmed Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning during a news conference in Beijing.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mao addressed a query regarding Venezuela's pursuit of military equipment from China, Russia, and Iran under President Nicholas Maduro to guard against potential US attacks. Mao emphasized China's clear stance against the US's forceful actions targeting alleged drug cartels in the Caribbean Sea, advocating for enhanced international cooperation to combat cross-border crimes, and opposing the application of force in international affairs.

Beijing firmly opposes actions that threaten peace and stability in the Latin American region and unilateral enforcement measures against vessels from other countries, Mao stated. The US has conducted more than a dozen strikes on suspected narco-trafficking vessels, predominantly in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, resulting in at least 64 casualties since September.

Mao expressed hope that the US would pursue normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through existing bilateral and multilateral legal frameworks.