China has issued a major demand to the United States after President Trump captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Beijing’s Foreign Ministry issued a scathing statement on Monday (January 5), denouncing the U.S. operation that saw Delta Force commandos storm Maduro’s Caracas residence over the weekend, detaining both the Venezuelan leader and his wife, Cilia Flores.
The couple was swiftly extradited to New York, where they were processed by the DEA and are expected to appear in court later today.
China calls for emergency UN meeting over U.S. strikes
“The sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law,” Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi declared during a meeting in Beijing with Pakistan’s foreign minister, cited by CNN.
“We have never believed that any country can act as the world’s police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world’s judge,” Wang said, accusing the U.S. of acting unilaterally.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the U.S. to “cease attempts to subvert the Venezuelan government” and urged Washington to “resolve differences through dialogue and negotiations.”
China also confirmed it would support an emergency UN Security Council meeting on the military strikes against Venezuela, scheduled for later Monday at Colombia’s request.
While asked about Vice President Delcy Rodríguez - the acting leader appointed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court - China emphasized its ongoing support for Caracas, stating: “Regardless of how Venezuela’s political situation changes, China’s willingness to deepen practical cooperation with Venezuela across all fields will not change.”
Trump: ‘We’re in charge of Venezuela now’
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. is now “in charge” of Venezuela.
He dismissed Rodríguez’s appointment and warned that American forces could return “if Venezuela doesn’t behave.”
Trump also used the moment to escalate tensions across the region, turning his attention to Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico in a series of bold threats.
He called both Colombia and Venezuela “very sick,” and accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of running a government led by “a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States.”
“And he’s not going to be doing it very long. Let me tell you,” Trump added. When asked whether a similar mission could happen in Colombia, he replied: “Sounds good to me," Al Jazeera reported.
Trump also claimed that Cuba was on the brink of collapse due to the cutoff of Venezuelan oil. “Cuba now has no income,” he said. “They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. They’re not getting any of it. Cuba literally is ready to fall."
As for Mexico, Trump said the country “has to get their act together” because drugs are “pouring through” the border, although he praised President Claudia Sheinbaum as “a terrific person” who’s battling powerful cartels.
World leaders push back as Trump praises ‘brilliant’ raid
Trump’s actions have drawn fierce criticism from global leaders. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement blasting the U.S. military raid as a dangerous precedent.
“These actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States,” the statement read.
“They constitute an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security and endanger the civilian population.”
Despite the backlash, Trump doubled down on his support for the mission, praising the operation as a “brilliant” success.