According to UNILAD China issued a swift and forceful warning to the United States after President Trump said America would “run” Venezuela following the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The response from Beijing signaled immediate international backlash to what Washington described as a decisive intervention.
The sequence of events began early Saturday, January 3, 2026, when U.S. forces allegedly carried out a covert operation in Caracas. Hours later, Trump announced on Truth Social that Maduro and Flores had been detained and removed from Venezuela, framing the action as necessary to stabilize the country and prevent further deterioration.
On Sunday, January 4, Trump doubled down while speaking to reporters, declaring that the U.S. was now effectively in charge of Venezuela. Despite Venezuela’s top court naming Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim leader, Trump said Washington would oversee the country until what he described as a safe and orderly transition could take place. The remark has fueled a wider political argument over his America First posture, including fresh criticism from a top Democrat.
The warning underscored how quickly the crisis widened
China, a long-time ally of Venezuela, responded almost immediately. Beijing condemned the operation as a violation of international law and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, with the country’s foreign ministry accusing the U.S. of breaching fundamental norms of international relations and the principles of the UN Charter.
The ministry also urged Washington to ensure the safety of the detained leaders, halt efforts to undermine Venezuela’s government, and resolve the dispute through dialogue rather than force. The statement carried added weight given China’s extensive political and economic ties with Caracas, built up over years of cooperation during periods when U.S. sanctions isolated the Maduro government.
China’s reaction is rooted in a relationship that extends well beyond rhetoric. Beijing has been one of Venezuela’s most important economic partners, purchasing significant volumes of Venezuelan exports and offering financial support since sanctions were imposed in 2017.
In 2024 alone, China reportedly bought nearly £1.2 billion worth of Venezuelan goods, underscoring its stake in the country’s stability. Adding to the tension, Maduro had reportedly met with a senior Chinese envoy, Qiu Xiaoqi, just hours before the U.S. operation.
The White House has insisted the intervention is aimed at preventing a repeat of past instability. Trump said the U.S. did not want “somebody else” stepping in and recreating the conditions that had plagued Venezuela for years, framing American oversight as temporary and focused on peace, liberty, and justice, including creating conditions for Venezuelans living abroad to eventually return home.
Published: Jan 6, 2026 05:45 am