Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the present problem in Venezuela should be resolved by the Venezuelan government and people themselves, adding that China respects other countries’ sovereignty and independence and will not interfere in their internal affairs. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the new sanctions against Venezuela's financial and oil sectors were clearly aimed at further destabilization of the situation.

China and Russia reacted after the US issued an order prohibiting Americans from dealing in any new debt or equity issued by the Venezuelan government or its state oil company, PDVSA.