• China calls for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Maduro and his wife following US military actions.
• Beijing condemns the US intervention as a breach of international law and a threat to Venezuela's sovereignty.
• China's Foreign Ministry states that US actions undermine regional peace and advocate for a diplomatic resolution.

China has raised serious concerns over the recent military intervention by the United States, which forcibly captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called the incident a "grave violation of international law" and urged the US to ensure their safety and release them immediately. The statement denounced the US actions as a blatant infringement upon Venezuela's sovereignty and a threat to peace in the Latin American region, advocating for dialogue and negotiation instead of force, according to SCMP, Al Jazeera, and India Times.

In two consecutive statements, China has expressed its outrage over the US military strikes that facilitated Maduro's capture, asserting that such actions reflect a "hegemonic behaviour" and violate established international norms. The Ministry stated, "China firmly opposes this use of force" and highlighted the need for the US to abide by the principles and purposes outlined in the UN Charter. Analysts suggest that while China is alarmed, it is likely to respond diplomatically rather than with military force, indicating a preference for building coalition with other Latin American countries to challenge the US's stance in the region, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

China's longstanding partnership with Venezuela, which has seen significant investment and energy cooperation, positions it as a key ally for the Maduro government. The recent events mark a critical point in bilateral relations, as Beijing views the overthrow of the Maduro administration as detrimental to its own strategic interests. Chinese analysts warn that heightened US involvement in Venezuela could provoke stricter confrontations regarding China's influence in Latin America, where it is already a major economic player, significantly purchasing Venezuelan oil and providing substantial loans, according to SCMP and India Times.