Amanze Chinonye
China has strongly condemned the United States’ military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, describing the action as a serious violation of international law and an infringement on the country’s sovereignty, Prime Business Africa reports.
In a statement issued by its Foreign Ministry, Beijing said it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemns” what it called Washington’s blatant use of force against a sovereign state. China characterised the U.S. strikes and the reported detention of Maduro as “hegemonic acts” that undermine the principles of the United Nations Charter and threaten peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“China firmly opposes this,” the ministry said, urging the United States to respect international law, stop interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and resolve disputes through dialogue rather than military means.
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China’s reaction places it among the most vocal critics of the U.S. operation, which President Donald Trump said resulted in Maduro being taken into American custody following what he described as a large-scale military strike. The development has sparked intense global debate over the legality and consequences of unilateral military intervention.
The condemnation took on added geopolitical significance after it emerged that Maduro had met with a senior Chinese envoy just hours before the U.S. strike, underscoring the growing great-power competition between Washington and Beijing in the Western Hemisphere.
Maduro received Qiu Xiaoqi, China’s special representative for Latin American affairs, at the Miraflores Presidential Palace on Friday, according to official accounts. During the meeting, the Venezuelan leader reaffirmed Caracas’ strategic partnership with Beijing and pledged to build what he described as a “multipolar world of development and peace.”
On the same day, President Trump met with U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Washington, shortly before announcing the military operation.
Hours later, Trump said U.S. forces had struck multiple targets across Venezuela and taken Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody, flying them out of the country in what officials described as a dramatic escalation of pressure on the embattled leader.
Asked on Fox and Friends about the Chinese envoy’s meeting with Maduro prior to the operation, Trump sought to downplay tensions with Beijing, saying: “I have a very good relationship with Xi, and there’s not going to be a problem. They’re going to get oil.”
The Trump administration has framed the operation as the culmination of months of allegations that Maduro trafficked drugs into the United States and governed without legitimate democratic authority claims long rejected by Caracas and its allies.
Analysts say the action marks the most direct U.S. military intervention against a sitting head of state in Latin America since the 1989 invasion of Panama, with potentially far-reaching implications for regional stability and global power politics.
China has been one of Venezuela’s closest international partners for years, with ties spanning energy, infrastructure financing and diplomacy, and has consistently opposed sanctions and military pressure against the Maduro government.
Chinese authorities also advised their nationals in Venezuela to exercise heightened caution and avoid unnecessary travel, citing security concerns following the U.S. action.
As international reactions continue to unfold, China’s forceful response highlights the widening geopolitical rift between Beijing and Washington, with Venezuela emerging as a new flashpoint in broader global power competition.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
