UNITED NATIONS -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday urged the United States to immediately stop its campaign against Venezuela under the pretext of combating drug trafficking.

The United States has continued to increase its military deployment in the waters of the Caribbean off the coast of Venezuela, escalating sanctions, blockades, and military threats against Venezuela, and having sunk Venezuelan vessels, shot dead crew members, and seized oil tankers, noted Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

Noting that Washington has designated the Venezuelan government as a foreign terrorist organization, claimed that Venezuelan land, oil, and assets belong to the United States, and even threatened military strikes against Venezuelan territory, he told the Security Council that the US actions and rhetoric have led to continued tensions in the region, raising serious concerns among regional countries and the international community.

"The US actions seriously infringe on other countries' sovereignty, security, and legitimate rights and interests, seriously violate the UN Charter and international law, and threaten peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Sun.

More and more countries in the region and beyond have voiced their grave concern about and strong condemnation of the US actions, he said.

As an independent sovereign state, Venezuela has the right to independently develop mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries and defend its legitimate rights and interests, which should be respected and supported by the international community, said Sun.

China opposes unilateralism and bullying, supports countries in safeguarding sovereignty and dignity, and rejects violations of the UN Charter, the use or threat of force, external interference in Venezuela's internal affairs, and unlawful unilateral sanctions or long-arm jurisdiction, noted Sun.

China urges the United States to heed the international community's call, cease such actions, uphold navigation safety and lawful rights under international law, lift unlawful unilateral sanctions, and contribute to peace, stability and development in Latin America and the Caribbean, he said.

Latin America and the Caribbean are a vital part of the Global South and an important force for peace and development. China stands ready to work with countries in the region to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, uphold fairness and justice, and safeguard regional peace and stability.