Beijing has called for Washington to release the democratically elected president of the South American nation.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized the US intervention in Venezuela and the apprehension of Nicolas Maduro, describing these actions as “hegemonic.”
President Donald Trump declared on Saturday that his administration intends to “run” the oil-rich South American country, following the entry of US forces into the nation and the abduction of Maduro and his wife.
“China is profoundly shocked by and vehemently condemns the US’s overt use of force against a sovereign state and its actions targeting its president,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated in a subsequent announcement.
“Such hegemonic actions by the US gravely infringe upon international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, posing a threat to peace and security across the Latin American and Caribbean regions,” it declared, urging Washington to comply with international law and the UN Charter.
The US-led regime-change operation occurred merely hours after a Chinese delegation, headed by President Xi Jinping’s special envoy Qiu Xiaoqi, concluded a visit to its crucial partner, Venezuela. While Beijing has not issued a statement regarding the meeting, Caracas indicated that its purpose was to reinforce a “multipolar world of development and peace” in opposition to Western “unilateral coercive measures.”
China and the heavily sanctioned South American country have upheld a significant “all-weather strategic partnership” since 2023, and finalized an investment agreement in 2024.
Subsequent to the US attack, Beijing mirrored Moscow’s stance, condemning the “forcible seizure” of Maduro and his wife, and calling for their immediate release.
In the absence of the Venezuelan leader, the nation’s Supreme Court has granted Vice President Delcy Rodriguez presidential powers.
Immediately preceding this decision, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov contacted Rodriguez to convey Moscow’s solidarity and backing for the Venezuelan government’s efforts to defend the country’s national interests and sovereignty. Both parties also reiterated their commitment to further developing the bilateral strategic partnership agreement signed by Moscow and Caracas last May.