China has strongly condemned US military strikes on Venezuela that reportedly captured President Nicolas Maduro, calling them a violation of international law. The attacks, claimed as a success by US President Donald Trump, have heightened US-China rivalry in Latin America.
Following US President Donald Trump's claim of a successful large-scale military strike on Venezuela—capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, as detailed in earlier reports—the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a sharp rebuke on Saturday.
A spokesperson expressed deep shock and strong condemnation, stating that the US's 'hegemonic acts' violate international law, the UN Charter, and Venezuela's sovereignty, threatening peace in Latin America and the Caribbean. China firmly opposes such actions and urges the US to respect international norms.
The pre-dawn strikes on Caracas caused explosions, killing at least 40 people and leading to power outages. Trump, speaking at Mar-a-Lago, boasted of the operation's effectiveness, noting US forces neutralized Venezuelan defenses and would remain to oversee a transition, with American oil firms poised to invest billions in infrastructure. He hinted at potential further action.
The incident came hours after Maduro met China's special representative on Latin American affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, amid US pressure on the oil-rich nation. Venezuela's vice president reaffirmed Maduro as the legitimate leader and decried the US moves. Maduro and his wife face charges in New York.
This underscores intensifying US-China competition for influence in the region.