BEIJING – China on Monday lashed out at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeofor accusing Beijing of prolonging the crisis in Venezuela, slamming hisremarks as “lies”.
Beijing has been Venezuela’s main creditor and maintains relations withthe government of President Nicolas Maduro, which also enjoys support fromRussia.
Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Pompeo had “wantonly slandered”China-Latin America relations, and that it is Washington that views theregion as its “backyard”.
“For some time, some US politicians have been carrying the same version,the same script of slandering China all over the world, and fanning theflames and sowing discord everywhere,” said foreign ministry spokesman LuKang.
“The words and deeds are despicable. But lies are lies, even if you say ita thousand times, they are still lies. Mr Pompeo, you can stop,” he said.
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In a speech in Chile on Friday, Pompeo said Beijing’s “bankrolling” ofMaduro’s regime has “helped precipitate and prolong the crisis in thatcountry.”
Pompeo wrapped up his four-nation tour of South America on Sunday with avisit to Cucuta, a Colombian city bordering Venezuela and crossing pointfor thousands of Venezuelans who have fled the crisis in their homeland.
Pompeo reiterated US calls for Maduro to step down. Washington and dozensof other countries have recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as thelegitimate leader of Venezuela. – APP/AFP
