Russia, China slam US conduct toward Venezuela

Russia and China on Tuesday criticised the United States for its military and economic pressure on Venezuela, telling the UN Security Council it was "cowboy behaviour" and "intimidation."

Venezuela, which requested the emergency council meeting with the backing of Moscow and Beijing, accused Washington of "the greatest extortion known in our history."

The United States has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and has recently intercepted oil tankers as part of a naval blockade against Venezuelan vessels it considers to be under sanctions.

Venezuela's parliament passed a law Tuesday that carries lengthy prison terms for any national supporting the United States' oil tanker blockade.

At Tuesday's meeting, US Ambassador Mike Waltz responded to the criticism by saying "the United States will do everything in its power to protect our hemisphere, our borders, and the American people."