Overview
- U.S. officials say a military operation in Caracas led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
- The Chinese foreign ministry denounced the action as an act of hegemony that seriously violates international law and the principles of the United Nations.
- Beijing urged Washington to ensure the couple’s safety, release them immediately, and desist from efforts to overthrow Venezuela’s government.
- China advised its citizens to avoid travel to Venezuela, urged those in the country to take precautions, and said its institutions have reinforced emergency measures.
- China’s special envoy Qiu Xiaoqi met Maduro hours before the operation and was reportedly still in Caracas during the strikes, as China joins other governments, including Russia, in publicly backing Venezuela.