China’s foreign ministry says the US seizure of foreign vessels violates international law, according to Reuters. At a press briefing, spokesperson Lin Jian said the US practice of arbitrarily seizing other countries’ vessels violates international law. Lin also said China opposes unilateral sanctions it sees as lacking UN Security Council authorization. Reuters reports the US Coast Guard intercepted a China-bound tanker off Venezuela carrying about 1.8 million barrels of Venezuelan Merey crude. Venezuela described the action as “a serious act of international piracy” and threatened to take the case to the UN Security Council. President Maduro accused Washington of seeking to “install a puppet government.” A US official cited “regional stability and security” and alleged Venezuelan cooperation with Iran, Hezbollah, and narcotrafficking organizations.
Credit to : WLA