Overview
- U.S. officials say Nicolás Maduro and his wife are in U.S. custody after a pre-dawn operation in Caracas, with images placing him aboard the USS Iwo Jima and plans for prosecution in New York.
- China’s Foreign Ministry called the action illegal, demanded the pair’s release and safety guarantees, and issued guidance urging Chinese nationals in Venezuela to avoid going out.
- Maduro met hours earlier with Chinese envoy Qiu Xiaoqi; multiple reports suggest the Chinese delegation was still in Caracas during the strikes, a detail not independently confirmed.
- Beijing backed calls with Moscow for an urgent U.N. Security Council session, as governments worldwide split over the legality and implications of the U.S. operation.
- China’s deep stakes in Venezuela include roughly $100–$105 billion in loans and oil ties, while President Trump said U.S. oil companies will move to help rebuild Venezuela’s energy sector.