China condemns US Venezuela raid, rejects 'world policeman' role

China has issued a sharp condemnation of the United States' military intervention in Venezuela, framing the operation as a dangerous breach of international norms and sovereignty. In a statement on Sunday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi denounced the raid that captured President Nicolas Maduro, stating Beijing "always opposes the use or threat of force, as well as any imposition of one country's will on another."

A Firm Rejection of Unilateral 'World Policeman' Role

Minister Wang, speaking during a meeting with Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar in Beijing, delivered a broader critique of US foreign policy. "We never believe that any country can play the role of world policeman, nor do we agree that any country can claim itself to be an international judge," he declared. He argued that the "sovereignty and security of all countries must be fully respected and protected," positioning China as a defender of a multipolar world order against what he termed "unilateral bullying" in an increasingly volatile global landscape.

China's Official Position and Demands

Beijing's diplomatic response has been consistent and forceful. Following the Saturday raid, China issued two separate statements expressing "shock" and "condemnation." It has now formally demanded that Washington immediately release Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were taken to New York to face US drug trafficking charges. Wang noted that the "sudden change of situation in Venezuela has drawn high attention from the international community," signaling that China views the incident as a destabilizing global event requiring collective scrutiny.

International Reactions and Pakistan's Cautious Stance

The meeting also highlighted reactions from other nations. Pakistan, while not issuing as strong a condemnation as China, expressed "concern" over the evolving crisis in Venezuela. In a Foreign Ministry statement, Islamabad urged "restraint and deescalation" and underscored "the necessity for adherence to the principles of the UN Charter as well as international law." Pakistan stated it is closely monitoring events and is focused on ensuring the safety of its citizens in Venezuela. China's vocal opposition, coupled with criticism from other quarters, places the US action under significant diplomatic pressure and aligns with the concerns of other major nations, including Türkiye, which upholds principles of sovereignty and non-interference.