Beijing: China has strongly criticised the United States following the capture of Venezuela’s president, saying it cannot accept any country acting as a judge for the entire world.
Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said national sovereignty and international law must be respected and warned against the use of force without approval from the United Nations. His remarks came after the United States confirmed that its forces had captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and taken him to the US to face criminal charges.
China did not name the United States directly at first, but officials later made it clear that Beijing was referring to the US action in Venezuela. Chinese leaders said unilateral military operations undermine the global order and increase instability, especially for smaller and developing nations.
At the United Nations, China called for discussions at the Security Council, urging member states to examine the legality of the operation. Russia and several other countries supported the move, reflecting growing divisions among major powers over how international law should be applied.
The United States has defended the operation, saying it was aimed at enforcing justice and holding leaders accountable for serious crimes. However, critics argue that the capture of a sitting head of state sets a dangerous precedent and could weaken international norms.
Across Latin America and other parts of the world, reactions have been mixed. Some governments condemned the move as a violation of sovereignty, while others remained cautious or avoided public comment as they assessed the rapidly changing situation.
China’s response highlights its long standing position against foreign intervention and its call for disputes to be resolved through dialogue and multilateral institutions. Analysts say Beijing is also sending a message that global power should not rest in the hands of one country alone.
As diplomatic tensions rise, many fear the incident could further strain relations between China and the United States and deepen divisions within the international community at a time of growing global uncertainty.