China Condemns US ‘Violation of Law’ Over Maduro Detention

China has strongly criticised the United States for detaining Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, claiming that Washington violated international law and jeopardised global stability.

Speaking to journalists, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the US ignored Maduro’s status as a sitting head of state and proceeded to charge him in a domestic court, which she called unacceptable.

According to Mao Ning,

“The United States ignored the status of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as head of state, openly brought charges against him and held a so-called court session in its internal court, which seriously violated Venezuela’s state sovereignty and undermined the stability of international relations. No country can put its own rules above international law.”

She stated that China believes state sovereignty must always be respected and that world powers should not act outside of internationally accepted legal frameworks.

Mao Ning also called on the United States to immediately release President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and to guarantee their personal safety. She stressed that China supports efforts to maintain peace in Latin America and the Caribbean and is ready to work with regional partners and the wider international community to prevent rising tensions.

When asked about calls for sanctions on the United States over the incident, Mao Ning said China supports the central role of the United Nations Security Council in maintaining global peace and security.

She added that the world needs fairness and balance in international relations, rather than actions that may increase conflict.

The comments followed the announcement that US authorities had detained Maduro and his wife on Saturday and transferred them to New York over “narco-terrorism” allegations.

The move has triggered strong reactions across the world, with some nations warning that the detention of a sitting president could further strain already fragile diplomatic relations.

China’s remarks reflect growing concern among global powers about respect for sovereignty and the limits of international legal authority. Beijing claims that disregarding recognised diplomatic protections sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilise international relations.

The situation has also raised fears of political unrest in Venezuela, where supporters of Maduro view the arrest as a direct attack on their nation. China reiterated that peaceful dialogue and respect for international law remain the best way to resolve disputes, warning against actions that could deepen divisions or encourage instability.

For the time being, the world is closely watching the dispute unfold, with governments, legal experts, and international bodies expected to weigh in on what could become one of the most contentious diplomatic confrontations in recent years.