Overview
- U.S. forces conducted a large-scale pre-dawn operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, with plans to prosecute them in New York, according to U.S. statements.
- China’s Foreign Ministry denounced the action as a blatant use of force that violates international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, warning it threatens peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Maduro met Chinese envoy Qiu Xiaoqi hours before the raid, and multiple reports say the visiting delegation was likely still in Caracas during the operation, though their status has not been officially confirmed.
- Beijing and Moscow backed a request for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday to address the U.S. action.
- Analysts note China’s exposure in Venezuela at roughly $100–106 billion in loans and assistance, while Chinese social media commentators drew parallels to a potential template for action against Taiwan.