Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro
Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro

The Chinese government defended its ties with Venezuela, saying it "constitutes normal cooperation between sovereign states" and rejected "the use of threat of force in international relations" as the Trump administration escalates pressure against the South American regime.

The comment was made by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning, and comes after a report claiming that the Maduro regime has been seeking help from Venezuela, China and Iran.

"China supports strengthened international cooperation to combat transnational crime and opposes the use of threat of force in international relations," Mao added. She then claimed that Beijing "opposes any attempt to undermine peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as unilateral coercive actions against foreign vessels that exceed reasonable and necessary limits," seemingly a reference to the recent strikes against alleged drug vessels.

The report in question claimed that authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro asked Russia this month to overhaul the country's defensive radars, repair military aircraft, and potentially supply missiles.

In a written message sent to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Maduro requested financing and logistical support. The documents indicate that Venezuelan officials approached China and Iran with similar requests, including drones and electronic warfare tools. It remains unclear how either country responded.

Last Sunday, an Il-76 military cargo aircraft previously sanctioned by the United States arrived in Caracas after routing around Western airspace. The visit came a day after Moscow ratified a new strategic agreement with Caracas. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday that Russia "respects Venezuela's sovereignty" and believes the situation should be resolved under international law.

The Kremlin has also recently confirmed that it remains in contact with Maduro, citing existing "contractual obligations" between the governments.

Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS that Moscow is "in contact with our friends in Venezuela." Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS that Moscow is "in contact with our friends in Venezuela."

Originally published on Latin Times