China on Sunday called on the United States to “immediately” release ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and “resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.”
“China expresses deep concern over the US forcibly detaining and expelling ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife from the country,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued here.
It said that this step is a clear violation of international law, basic norms of international relations and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.
“China calls on the United States to ensure the personal safety of ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, immediately release them, stop attempts to overthrow the Venezuelan government, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation,” the statement said.
Earlier on Saturday, the ministry condemned the US air strikes on Venezuela and the arrest of Maduro and his wife, calling it a hegemonic act that seriously violates international law.
Responding to a question on US President Donald Trump’s announcement of US airstrikes against Venezuela and the arrest of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, China said it was extremely shocked and strongly condemned the US’s brazen use of force against a sovereign nation and its actions against its President.
The ministry said that such hegemonic actions of the US seriously violate international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty and threaten peace and security in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
It said, “China strongly opposes this. We call on the US to abide by the purposes and principles of international law and the UN Charter, and to stop violating the sovereignty and security of other countries.”
The fall of the Maduro government and his arrest by the US is a major blow to Beijing, as China has had close strategic ties with Venezuela since the time of Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chavez.
