China has criticized the United States for seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, framing the move as an overreach that challenges international law and global diplomatic norms. The operation, which saw Maduro taken from Caracas to face trial in New York, has prompted Beijing to confront Washington at the United Nations, highlighting the limits of China’s influence in global conflicts and its commitment to non-intervention.
China Confronts the US Over Maduro’s Capture
China’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, accused an unnamed country of acting as the “world judge” in response to “sudden developments in Venezuela” during a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart in Beijing on Sunday. Wang emphasized that “the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law,” marking his first public comments after images emerged showing the 63-year-old Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed.
Maduro pleaded not guilty to narcotics charges in a New York court on Monday. On the same day, the UN Security Council convened at Colombia’s request, supported by China and Russia, to discuss the legality of the U.S. operation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the seizure could set “a dangerous precedent.” At the meeting, Sun Lei, charge d’affaires of China’s Permanent Mission to the UN, condemned the U.S. actions, stating, “Military means are not the solution to problems, and the indiscriminate use of force will only lead to greater crises.”
Analysts noted that while China cannot provide substantial material support to Venezuela at this time, it could play a key rhetorical role in rallying opposition to the U.S. at the UN and among developing nations. Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, said, “What we’ve seen in the cases of Zimbabwe and Iran, both sanctioned by the West, is that China demonstrates its commitment to these relationships through trade and investment, even under difficult circumstances.”
The capture of Maduro also tests Beijing’s Global Security Initiative in Latin America, as U.S. threats against neighboring countries and comments about Cuba have raised concerns over the pact’s protective value. Chinese President Xi Jinping called on all countries to respect international law and UN principles, urging major powers to set an example without directly naming the United States or Venezuela.
China’s ties with Venezuela date back decades. Caracas recognized Beijing over Taiwan in 1974, and the relationship strengthened under Hugo Chávez, who became president in 1998. Chávez cultivated close ties with China while distancing Venezuela from the United States. The relationship continued under Maduro, including enrolling his son at Peking University in 2016. Beijing invested heavily in Venezuela’s oil and infrastructure, providing economic support as U.S. sanctions intensified from 2017. In 2024, China purchased roughly $1.6 billion in Venezuelan goods, about half of which was oil.
A Chinese government official described the U.S. operation as “a big blow to China,” noting that Beijing had aimed to demonstrate its reliability as a strategic partner. The official referenced a meeting between Maduro and China’s special representative for Latin American and Caribbean affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, just hours before the Venezuelan leader was captured.
