China Urges US to Halt Venezuelan Government Overthrow and Release Maduro
China Reacts to Military Intervention in Venezuela
China has called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following massive military attacks on the capital Caracas and other regions, which resulted in the abduction of the leader. Beijing insisted on Sunday that the safety of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, must be a priority, urging the US to "stop the overthrow of the Venezuelan government" and labeling the attack as a "clear violation of international law."
This marks the second statement issued by China since Saturday, after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had taken control of Maduro and transported him out of the country. Beijing criticized the US for its "hegemonic acts" and "flagrant use of force" against Venezuela and its president, calling on Washington to respect the UN Charter.
China is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela, according to Andy Mok, a senior researcher at the China Center for Globalization. Mok told Al Jazeera that a Chinese delegation had met with Venezuelan officials just hours before the US action, adding that Beijing was not surprised by Washington's move, given the extent of the US's strategic and economic interests in the region.
China is the largest buyer of Venezuelan oil, although this country only accounts for about 4-5% of China's total oil imports. Moreover, China has increasing trade and investment interests throughout Latin America, indicating that Beijing pays particular attention to political changes in the region.
Mok warned that if a future American administration were to reinvigorate a Monroe Doctrine-type policy, it could escalate tensions with China, given that Latin America is a "pillar of China's global South strategy." Nevertheless, according to Chinese analyst Shaun Rein, China is likely to limit its response to diplomatic protests rather than resort to military actions.
"I think China has issued a very strong condemnation of the United States and is collaborating with other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to say that this is not right," stated Rein, founder of the China Market Research Group. He emphasized that Beijing is deeply alarmed yet constrained, with its options limited.
"China does not have many options. Frankly, it lacks military power. It only has two military bases outside of China, while America has 800," noted Rein, underlining that "historically, China is not militarily aggressive."
"China will only make statements criticizing the actions of the United States but will not respond with military actions and will likely not react with economic sanctions."
