China condemns US capture of Venezuelan President Maduro
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (photo: Getty Images)
China has officially condemned the US military operation in Venezuela during which President Nicolás Maduro was captured, saying that no country has the right to assume the role of a "world judge," Reuters reported.
Beijing's position
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart that Beijing does not recognize the legitimacy of Washington's actions. According to him, the sovereignty and security of all countries must be fully protected by international law.
"We have never believed that any country can act as the world's police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world's judge," the Chinese foreign minister stressed.
Shock over images from Caracas
China's reaction came after images of the detained 63-year-old Maduro spread around the world. In the photos that shocked the international community, the Venezuelan politician is shown blindfolded and in handcuffs.
China's Foreign Ministry described these actions as "hegemonic behavior" and urged the United States to:
- Adhere to the UN Charter;
- Stop violating the sovereignty of other states;
- Resolve disputes exclusively within the legal framework.
For China, Maduro's capture was a severe blow, as Venezuela has been a strategic partner of Beijing in Latin America for the past 50 years.
What awaits Maduro
It is currently known that the captured Venezuelan leader was taken to New York. Today, January 5, he is due to appear before a federal judge to be formally charged with narco-terrorism. US President Donald Trump has already stated that the United States will effectively oversee the Venezuelan government.
A large-scale US operation in Venezuela, codenamed Absolute Resolve, began on January 3, 2026. American forces carried out airstrikes on Caracas and blocked key infrastructure facilities, marking the start of the active phase of regime overthrow.
The following day, it became known that US special forces detained Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. They were taken into custody while attempting to leave the presidential palace and were swiftly transported out of the country.
US President Donald Trump officially confirmed the success of the operation and said that Maduro would face trial on charges of narco-terrorism. The Venezuelan politician is currently being held in custody in New York.
