‘Under any pretext’: China says it opposes US move to shut down Venezuelan airspace | World News
A passenger looks at the flight information board at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, days after the government revoked operating rights for international airlines that suspended flights following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Adminration. (AP Photo/Crian Hernandez)
China has expressed its opposition to any US move to shut down Venezuelan airspace, calling it a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
“China opposes any actions that violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and infringe on other countries’ sovereignty and security,” Chinese Foreign Minry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday in Beijing.
China opposes interference in Venezuela’s affairs “under any pretext,” Lin said.
A COPA Airlines plane takes off at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, days after the government revoked operating rights for international airlines that suspended flights following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Adminration.(AP Photo/Crian Hernandez)
‘Airspace above Venezuela closed in its entirety’
Last week, US President Donald Trump said that the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela should be considered “closed in its entirety.”
“To all Airlines, Pilots, Drug Dealers, and Human Traffickers, please consider THE AIRSPACE ABOVE AND SURROUNDING VENEZUELA TO BE CLOSED IN ITS ENTIRETY,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.Story continues below this ad
Colonial threat: Venezuela
Venezuela’s government condemned Trump’s comments, describing them as a “colonial threat” against the country’s sovereignty and incompatible with international law.
The closure of the Venezuelan airspace was the latest in a series of moves the Trump adminration to pressure the Nicolas Maduro government in Caracas.
US vs Venezuela
The US has been building up a massive military presence in the Caribbean and has refused to rule out an intervention to force Maduro out of office.
Trump has also authorised covert CIA operations in the country.Maduro, in power since 2013, has contended that Trump is seeking to oust him and that Venezuelan citizens and the country’s military will res any such attempt.Trump told military service members earlier this week that the US would “very soon” begin land operations to stop suspected Venezuelan drug traffickers.Story continues below this ad
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro addresses supporters during a swearing-in event for government-organized community committees at the presidential palace in Caracas, Venezuela. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Last week, the US also designated Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terror organization, levelling sanctions on the group, which Washington alleges is led Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials.
‘China opposes unilateral sanctions’
Responding to the US move, the Chinese Foreign Minry on Friday called on Washington to lift its illegal and unilateral sanctions imposed on Venezuela and do more to facilitate peace, stability, and development in Latin America and the Caribbean region.
“China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and are not authorized the United Nations Security Council, and opposes external forces interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs under any pretext,” Mao Ning, the spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Minry, was quoted as saying Xinhua.
