BEIJING (Realist English). China has expressed strong concern over the United States’ reported seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and their forcible transfer out of the country, calling the move a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.
In a statement on Sunday, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said the US action breached the basic norms governing international relations and undermined the purposes and principles of the United Nations. The remarks came in response to reports that on January 3 US forces detained Maduro and removed him from Venezuela, prompting objections from several governments.
Beijing urged Washington to ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, release them immediately, halt efforts to topple Venezuela’s government, and resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had carried out what he described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela and claimed that Maduro and his wife had been captured and taken out of the country. Trump also posted an image on social media purporting to show Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima following his detention.
The reported US military operation has triggered strong international reactions, with multiple countries issuing statements condemning Washington’s actions. China’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply shocked” by what it described as the blatant use of force against a sovereign state and its president.
Such actions, the spokesperson said, seriously violate international law, infringe on Venezuela’s sovereignty, and pose a threat to peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean. China firmly opposes the move and called on the United States to respect international law and cease actions that violate the sovereignty and security of other countries.
