U.S. move to close Chinese consulate "baseless aggression": Venezuelan FM

"The political, ideological, diplomatic, economic and media escalation of the U.S. government against the People's Republic of China constitutes a baseless aggression against a sovereign country," Arreaza said on his Twitter account.

"Crafting lies to attack China is part of (U.S. President Donald) Trump's electoral despair," Arreaza said.

On Tuesday, the United States abruptly demanded that China close its Consulate General in Houston, the first consulate set up by China in the United States after the establishment of their diplomatic ties.