Overview
- China condemned the U.S. action as an act of hegemony that violates international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, demanding the immediate release of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores with guarantees for their safety.
- The Chinese foreign ministry urged Washington to comply with the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and to desist from overthrowing Venezuela’s government.
- Beijing advised Chinese nationals to postpone travel to Venezuela and said its missions are closely monitoring security with reinforced preventive and emergency measures.
- Iran, North Korea and Russia issued denunciations and called for Maduro’s release, while Spain’s Pedro Sánchez and other European figures warned of international law violations and pressed for de-escalation.
- Maduro had met in Caracas with China’s Latin America envoy Qiu Xiaoqi just hours before his capture, highlighting Beijing’s stake in a partner linked by major oil trade and past loans.