China06 January, 20261 min read
China Condemns US Abduction of Maduro as Venezuelan Forces Are Disbanded
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
U.S. conducted a nighttime operation to capture Maduro in Caracas. Beijing condemned Maduro's capture; it expanded influence in the region.
China Condemns Capture
China condemned the US capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro, branding it an illegal abduction and kidnapping. Top Chinese diplomat Qiu Xiaoqi had met with Maduro just hours before the US-led operation. Beijing's Foreign Ministry said it was deeply shocked and strongly condemned the flagrant use of force.
Widely Viewed in China as Warning
The capture sent shockwaves through China, with over 600 million views on Weibo in 24 hours. Many in China saw the operation as a playbook for seizing Taiwan.
Some cheered the downfall of a dictator, others warned about ideological rigidity. Xi Jinping called for all countries to respect the development path independently chosen by other peoples.
Strained Relations After $10 Billion Deal
The removal came just six days after Maduro secured a $10 billion-investment deal with Alibaba and Chinese companies. Five days after the capture, Admiral Dennis Blair testified China had effectively abandoned Maduro. Chinese officials began engaging with the opposition and facilitating repatriations.
China Participates in Opposition-Led Transition
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed Qiu had delivered a formal repatriation request for Maduro to the opposition. President Xi publicly called for respect of development paths and adherence to international law. China’s ambassador met with Guaidó, and the USS New Jersey visited to repatriate Chinese nationals.