New Delhi Chronicle News Bureau
Beijing/Washington | January 4
China has called on the United States to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, according to reports by Chinese state media, escalating diplomatic tensions surrounding Venezuela’s leadership and US foreign policy in Latin America.
In a statement attributed to Chinese authorities, Beijing urged Washington to “respect Venezuela’s sovereignty” and cease what it described as interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. The comments were reported by state-run media outlets without providing details on the circumstances under which President Maduro and his wife were allegedly detained.
The United States has not issued an official response to the Chinese media claims so far. Washington has, in the past, imposed sanctions on Nicolás Maduro and several senior Venezuelan officials, accusing his government of undermining democracy and human rights, allegations Caracas has consistently denied.
China, a long-standing ally of the Maduro administration, has repeatedly criticised US sanctions on Venezuela, calling them illegal and counterproductive. Beijing has also extended diplomatic and economic support to Caracas amid Venezuela’s prolonged political and economic crisis.
The development, if confirmed, could further strain already tense relations between the US and China, particularly as both nations remain at odds over geopolitical influence in Latin America.
More details are awaited as neither the US State Department nor Venezuelan officials have commented publicly on the report at the time of publishing.
