(Bloomberg) -- China said U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo “recklessly slanders and deliberately provokes” after he blamed Beijing and Moscow for spreading disorder in Latin America.
“We have noticed Mr. Pompeo's false accusations towards China on Venezuelan issues,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular briefing on Monday. “The U.S. secretary of state recklessly slanders and deliberately provokes China, and relations between China and Latin America. It is irresponsible and irrational, and we strongly oppose it.”
Pompeo, who spoke on Friday in Chile as he started a quick South American tour, said China and Russia fueled corruption and aimed to undermine democracy across the region. Among examples he cited were Chinese loans to the regime of embattled Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro and his predecessor Hugo Chavez. Political turmoil engulfed the country in recent weeks after the U.S.-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido's bid to unseat Maduro.
Guaido urged China to “add its voice” to those who recognize him as Venezuela's leader in an op-ed for Bloomberg Opinion on Monday. The economic relationship between China and Venezuela is bound to grow given China is the world's largest oil importer and Venezuela has the world's largest proven oil reserves, he wrote, adding it's in Beijing's interest to bring about stability in the Latin American country.
Why China Should Recognize Venezuela's Real Leaders: Juan Guaido
“China's stance on Venezuela has been consistent and clear: We safeguard the UN charter and the peace and stability of the region,” Lu said.
Lu said the U.S. treats Latin America like its backyard. “I trust Latin American nations can make the right judgement,” he said. “But lies are lies, even if repeated 1,000 times -- it is time for Mr. Pompeo to stop.”
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: April Ma in Beijing at ama112@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Karen Leigh, Sharon Chen
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