4.1.2025
China on Sunday demanded the release of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife after they were captured by US forces in a “large-scale strike.”
“China expresses grave concern over the US forcibly seizing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country”, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
‘It added that the move clearly violates international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Calling for immediate action, the ministry said, “China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.”
US forces early Saturday invaded the country, neutralised Venezuela defences and seized Maduro and his wife. US President Donald Trump said, a committee of officials will be appointed to run the affairs of Venezuela pending when there would be a proper transition. Trump did not hide his ambition to control Venezuela’s large oil deposits.
The fall of the Maduro government and his capture by the US is regarded as a major setback for Beijing, which has shared close strategic ties with Venezuela since the time of Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez. Over the past two decades, China’s partnership with Venezuela has been built on political alignment, energy cooperation, and shared opposition to US and Western influence in Latin America.
During this period, China became a major buyer of Venezuelan oil despite US sanctions.
It is also Venezuela’s major investor and lender, extending tens of billions of dollars in oil-backed loans. Agency reports