Beijing demands Maduro's release and warns of risk to Latin America

Beijing.- China demanded on Monday the release of the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, captured by the United States during a military operation in Caracas, and warned that the use of force by Washington poses a risk to peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed in a press conference Beijing's "serious concern" over the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and asked the United States to "guarantee their personal safety" while they are outside Venezuela and proceed with their "immediate release".

Lin stated that Washington's actions "clearly violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations", as well as contravene "the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter".

In that sense, it accused the United States of resorting to a "blatant use of force" against a sovereign country and of carrying out actions that, according to Beijing, "undermine Venezuela's sovereignty."

The spokesperson emphasized that these actions "threaten peace and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean," a region that China considers a "zone of peace," and reiterated his country's opposition to the use or threat of the use of force in international relations, as well as to what he described as practices of "hegemonic bullying." In several responses to journalists, Lin insisted that Washington must "cease efforts to undermine the Venezuelan government" and resolve the crisis "through dialogue and negotiation." China, added, "supports the UN Security Council ONU convene an emergency meeting" to address the situation and supported the body to fulfill its responsibilities in accordance with its mandate.

You may be interested in: China asks the U.S. for the immediate release of Maduro and calls for a negotiated solution

Asked about Beijing's contacts with Caracas following Maduro's capture, the spokesman recalled that China "respects the sovereignty and independence of Venezuela" and trusts that the country will "manage its internal affairs in accordance with its Constitution and laws", without confirming direct conversations with the vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, who provisionally assumed the leadership of the Venezuelan Executive. Regarding bilateral cooperation, Lin pointed out that "energy cooperation is cooperation between sovereign states" and is "protected by international law and by the laws of the countries involved." In that context, he stated that, "regardless of the changes in Venezuela's internal situation," China's willingness to deepen cooperation with the Caribbean country "in different areas will not change," and that China's "legitimate interests" in Venezuela "will continue to be protected in accordance with the law."

Rejects that Beijing seeks to establish "spheres of influence" in Latin America

The spokesperson also rejected that Beijing seeks to establish "spheres of influence" in Latin America and assured that Chinese policy towards the region "is consistent and stable", based on the principles of non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and without ideological alignments. China, added Lin, "will continue to be a good friend and a good partner" of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean and is willing to work with them to "defend the UN Charter, safeguard international equity and justice" and jointly respond to the tensions arising from the current situation in Venezuela. The statements are made in a context of increasing regional tension following the US military operation that culminated in the detention of Maduro and his transfer to the United States, an episode that has generated critical reactions from several governments and has led to the convening of an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council.