Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly criticized the United States on Sunday, January 5, 2026, stating that Beijing cannot accept any country acting as the "world's judge" following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. During a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing, Wang referred to the "sudden developments in Venezuela" without directly naming the U.S., but emphasized that no nation should position itself as the global police or arbiter. "The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law," Wang added, marking his first public remarks on the incident since images of the blindfolded and handcuffed Maduro surfaced, shocking Venezuelans. Maduro is currently held in a New York detention center, awaiting a court appearance on Monday for drug-related charges. The statement reflects China's ambition to assert itself as a diplomatic heavyweight, especially after brokering key deals like the 2023 Saudi-Iran rapprochement.

The U.S. raid on Caracas, which extracted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, has dealt a significant blow to China's "all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership" with Venezuela, established in 2023 to mark nearly 50 years of diplomatic ties. A Chinese government official revealed that Maduro met with China's special representative for Latin American affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, just hours before his capture, underscoring the close coordination between the two nations. Maduro's son, who enrolled at Peking University in 2016 and visited in 2024, now faces uncertainty about returning amid the political upheaval. China has been a crucial economic lifeline for Venezuela since U.S. sanctions intensified in 2017, purchasing around $1.6 billion worth of goods in 2024, with nearly half being crude oil. This trade has helped sustain Maduro's regime despite global isolation.

Wang's comments highlight Beijing's frustration with Washington's unilateral actions, viewing them as a challenge to China's growing influence in Latin America. Analysts note that Trump's assertion of U.S. oversight in Venezuela tests the limits of Sino-Venezuelan ties, potentially forcing Beijing to recalibrate its strategy in the region. China's investments in Venezuela, including $4.6 billion from state-owned oil giants by 2018, now hang in the balance amid the power vacuum. The incident has prompted calls within China for a more assertive diplomatic response to protect its interests abroad. As Maduro faces narco-terrorism charges in the U.S., Beijing's stance signals a broader pushback against perceived American overreach in global affairs.

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The fallout from Maduro's capture could reshape energy markets and diplomatic alignments, with China poised to play a key role in Venezuela's future. Wang's meeting with Dar also touched on broader hotspot issues, reinforcing China's commitment to "constructive" engagement worldwide. However, the Venezuelan crisis underscores the risks for Beijing in backing embattled allies. As funeral arrangements for the 32 Cubans killed in the raid proceed in Havana, international pressure mounts on the U.S. to justify its actions. For China, the event serves as a stark reminder of the limits of its influence against direct U.S. intervention.

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