Beijing: China on Thursday voiced support for Venezuela's request to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, as tensions escalate amid mounting US pressure on Caracas. 'China supports Venezuela's request to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing.

According to Anadolu Agency, Guo stated that China 'opposes all forms of unilateral bullying and supports countries in safeguarding their sovereignty and national dignity.' The statement was reported by the Beijing-based daily Global Times. Guo emphasized that 'Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries,' and expressed China's belief that 'the international community understands and supports Venezuela's position in defending its legitimate rights and interests.'

Moreover, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro engaged in discussions with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday concerning the escalating regional tensions. Guterres reaffirmed the UN's stance 'on the need for member states to respect international law, particularly the UN Charter, exert restraint and de-escalate tensions to preserve regional stability,' as highlighted in a UN statement.

Over recent months, the US has maintained an increased military presence in the Caribbean, executing strikes on vessels accused of drug trafficking, although no evidence has been publicly released. US President Donald Trump has also hinted at the possibility of conducting land strikes on Venezuelan territory. The situation intensified last week when US forces seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela's coast, which Caracas condemned as 'international piracy.'

Maduro issued a warning on Tuesday regarding a potential 'new Vietnam' following Trump's directive for a 'total and complete blockade' of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.