US forces raided Caracas early on Saturday, arresting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife before transferring them to New York to face charges. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the action seriously violates international law and called on the US to release them immediately.
Early on Saturday, January 3, 2026, US forces launched a raid in Venezuela's capital Caracas, arresting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores before airlifting them to New York. Maduro faces charges of 'narcoterrorism conspiracy,' cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. US President Donald Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform showing Maduro handcuffed and blindfolded aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Trump announced that the US would 'run' Venezuela on a 'temporary basis' to 'get the oil flowing.'
On Sunday, China's Foreign Ministry expressed 'grave concern' over the US forcible seizure of Maduro and his wife and their removal from the country. The spokesperson stated: 'The US's move is in clear violation of international law, basic norms in international relations, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.' China called on the US to ensure the personal safety of Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the Venezuelan government, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation. During high-level talks with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi accused the US of playing the role of 'international policeman,' saying: 'China has never believed that any country can play the role of an international policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge.' Wang emphasized that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, opposing the use or threat of force and rejecting attempts to impose one country's will on others.
The operation has drawn sharp domestic criticism in the US. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement: 'Because the President and his Cabinet repeatedly denied any intention of conducting regime change in Venezuela when briefing Congress, we are left with no understanding of how the Administration is preparing to mitigate risks to the US and we have no information regarding a long-term strategy.' Representative Seth Moulton told CNN: 'We've just been completely lied to.' Senator Tim Kaine warned that Trump's unauthorized military attack represents a 'sickening return' to US dominance in the Western Hemisphere. A New York Times editorial called the seizure 'illegal and unwise,' warning it risks replicating the hubris of the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Internationally, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described the operation as crossing 'an unacceptable line' and a violation of Venezuelan sovereignty. Colombian President Gustavo Petro rejected the 'aggression against the sovereignty of Venezuela and of Latin America.' Russia condemned it as 'an act of armed aggression,' while Cuba denounced it as 'state terrorism.' UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the US disregard for international law. Analysts suggest the move revives the Monroe Doctrine, aiming to curb China's influence in Latin America and control Venezuelan oil resources. China is likely to condemn the action but adopt a wait-and-see strategy, as Venezuela is not among its core interests.
