<p>China on Friday denounced the US for calling Venezuela's entry into the UN Human Rights Council "a tragedy", after the South American country won a seat despite criticism from advocacy groups.</p>.<p>The leftist government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has jailed opposition leaders and is accused of using torture and arbitrary arrests as it struggles to hold on to power amid a collapsing economy.</p>.<p>More than 50 countries have switched their recognition to national assembly speaker Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate acting president, including the United States.</p>.<p>But Maduro still has strong support at the UN, from Russia and China in particular.</p>.<p>"What the US said is utterly unjustifiable," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.</p>.<p>The election result "reflects the mainstream wishes of international society -- it is reasonable and lawful," he told reporters at a press briefing in Beijing.</p>.<p>"We advise the US not to...politicise the human rights issue," he added.</p>.<p>The comments came as rights groups condemned Thursday's election as a slap in the face to the people of Venezuela and the international community.</p>.<p>The election saw Caracas win one of two seats allotted for Latin America -- beating Costa Rica -- which the US called "an embarrassment to the United Nations and a tragedy for the people of Venezuela."</p>
<p>China on Friday denounced the US for calling Venezuela's entry into the UN Human Rights Council "a tragedy", after the South American country won a seat despite criticism from advocacy groups.</p>.<p>The leftist government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has jailed opposition leaders and is accused of using torture and arbitrary arrests as it struggles to hold on to power amid a collapsing economy.</p>.<p>More than 50 countries have switched their recognition to national assembly speaker Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate acting president, including the United States.</p>.<p>But Maduro still has strong support at the UN, from Russia and China in particular.</p>.<p>"What the US said is utterly unjustifiable," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang.</p>.<p>The election result "reflects the mainstream wishes of international society -- it is reasonable and lawful," he told reporters at a press briefing in Beijing.</p>.<p>"We advise the US not to...politicise the human rights issue," he added.</p>.<p>The comments came as rights groups condemned Thursday's election as a slap in the face to the people of Venezuela and the international community.</p>.<p>The election saw Caracas win one of two seats allotted for Latin America -- beating Costa Rica -- which the US called "an embarrassment to the United Nations and a tragedy for the people of Venezuela."</p>