China Xinhua News & Venezuela: State Media Coverage

Beijing has reaffirmed its support for Venezuela’s sovereignty following the recent seizure of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Special forces, an operation that has dramatically altered the political landscape in Caracas and raised questions about China’s economic and political influence in Latin America.

The operation, which saw Maduro removed from his residence by U.S. Delta Force commandos, occurred while the Venezuelan president was meeting with China’s top envoy to Latin America, Qiu Xiaoqi, according to reports. Maduro reportedly expressed gratitude to Chinese President Xi Jinping for continued brotherhood, like an older brother during the meeting, just hours before his capture.

China’s initial response was to denounce the U.S. Action, characterizing it as Washington behaving like the world’s policeman. This condemnation was followed by a more detailed statement on February 3rd, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian asserting China’s support for Venezuela in safeguarding its sovereignty, dignity and legitimate rights. Lin further criticized the U.S. Military intervention as a hegemonic act that seriously violated international law and infringed upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, jeopardizing peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The swiftness of the U.S. Operation has caught Beijing off guard, disrupting a long-standing all-weather strategic partnership established with Venezuela in 2023. This partnership had seen a deepening of economic ties, with Venezuela becoming a significant exporter of oil to China and receiving substantial Chinese investment in infrastructure projects. Billions of dollars in loans from Beijing to Caracas underpinned this relationship, solidifying Venezuela’s position within China’s sphere of influence.

The future of these economic arrangements is now uncertain. The U.S. Move raises questions about China’s preferential access to Venezuelan oil, a crucial component of Beijing’s energy security strategy. The disruption also impacts Chinese companies heavily invested in Venezuelan infrastructure, potentially jeopardizing ongoing projects and future investments.

China’s concerns extend beyond purely economic considerations. The close political alignment between Beijing and Caracas, rooted in a shared distrust of U.S. Leadership, has been a key element of China’s broader strategy to expand its influence in Latin America. Maduro’s removal represents a significant setback to those ambitions.

While official statements from Beijing have focused on upholding international law and Venezuelan sovereignty, Chinese social media has reportedly reacted with excitement and discussion to the U.S. Intervention, suggesting a more complex internal response within China. This internal reaction, however, remains largely unanalyzed in official statements.

The situation also comes amidst broader regional tensions. In October 2025, China had already voiced opposition to external interference in Venezuela’s domestic affairs, following U.S. Actions against Venezuelan vessels and the deployment of warships in the Caribbean Sea. At that time, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, reiterated China’s support for the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace and opposed actions that could undermine regional stability.

China has consistently advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means and has called on the United States to engage in normal law enforcement and judicial cooperation through established legal frameworks. However, the U.S. Decision to take direct military action appears to have bypassed these diplomatic channels.

Looking ahead, Beijing has indicated its intention to work with the international community to resolutely defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international justice and international fairness. However, the extent to which China will actively challenge the new political reality in Venezuela remains to be seen. The priority for Beijing will likely be to protect its legitimate interests in the country and to prevent further destabilization of the region.

The unfolding events in Venezuela present a complex challenge for China, forcing it to navigate a delicate balance between defending its principles of non-interference and safeguarding its substantial economic and strategic investments. The situation underscores the growing competition between the United States and China for influence in Latin America, and the potential for further geopolitical friction in the region.

On January 7th, a Chinese spokesperson emphasized the need to protect China’s legitimate interests in Venezuela, strongly condemning the U.S. Actions. This statement signals a firm stance from Beijing, suggesting it will not passively accept the outcome of the U.S.-led operation.