Beijing: China on Sunday said it cannot accept any country acting as a global judge after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, sharply criticising what it described as unilateral actions that undermine international law and national sovereignty.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the world must not return to a time where powerful nations decide the fate of others. While he did not directly name the United States, his remarks clearly referred to Washington’s recent military operation in Venezuela.
China stressed that the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected. Wang said global disputes should be handled through dialogue and within the framework of the United Nations, warning that forceful interventions create dangerous precedents.
The comments followed confirmation by the United States that its forces had detained Maduro and transferred him to New York to face criminal charges. US President Donald Trump said Washington would take responsibility for stabilising Venezuela during a transition period, a statement that triggered widespread international concern.
China has longstanding economic and political ties with Venezuela, including investments in oil and infrastructure. Analysts say Beijing views the US action not only as a challenge to international norms but also as a threat to its strategic interests in Latin America.
Several countries have reacted strongly to the development. Spain and other European nations have condemned the operation as a violation of international law, while Russia and China have called for urgent discussions at the UN Security Council. The United Nations secretary general has also warned that such unilateral military actions risk escalating global tensions.
Meanwhile, protests and uncertainty continue inside Venezuela, where residents are struggling with the aftermath of air strikes and the sudden removal of the country’s leadership.
China concluded its statement by urging restraint and calling on all parties to avoid further escalation, saying lasting peace can only be achieved through political solutions rather than force.