China slams US capture as ‘hegemonic’, calls for 'immediate' release of President Maduro and his wife

China calls US capture of Maduro ‘hegemonic’, demands immediate release

• China condemns US seizure of Venezuela's president, calls it illegal.
• China urges US to release Maduro and wife, resolve issues through dialogue
• US military action draws global condemnation and concerns over regional stability.

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China has expressed serious concern over the United States’ forcible seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and their removal from the country, calling the action a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Responding on Sunday to reports that US forces captured Maduro and his wife on January 3, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the move breached “international law and the basic norms in international relations” and had drawn opposition from multiple countries.

“China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, to release them immediately, to stop subverting the Venezuelan regime and to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation,” the spokesperson said.

China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation. https://t.co/LKaWED2ZAd

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) January 4, 2026

US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Washington had carried out a “large scale strike against Venezuela” and claimed that Maduro and his wife had been captured and taken out of the country. Trump later posted an image on social media showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima, describing it as the latest development in the US military operation.

The US military action has sparked widespread international reaction, with several countries issuing strong condemnations. China said it was “deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the United States’ brazen use of force against a sovereign state and its actions directed at its president,” according to an earlier statement released by the foreign ministry.

“Such hegemonic behaviour by the US is a grave violation of international law, an infringement upon the sovereignty of Venezuela and a threat to the peace and security of the Latin American and Caribbean region,” the ministry said, adding that Beijing firmly opposes the move.

China also urged Washington to abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, warning that the action undermines regional stability.

According to reports, Maduro and his wife were detained following US military strikes and transferred to New York. Trump later said the United States would oversee Venezuela until a “safe, proper and judicious” transition takes place.