China Rejects Any Country Acting As ‘World’s Judge’ Following Maduro Detention In U.S.
The Chinese government has condemned the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the United States, asserting that it will never accept any country positioning itself as the “world’s judge.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a meeting with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Sunday, referring to what he described as “sudden developments in Venezuela.”
Without directly naming the United States, Wang stated,
“We have never believed that any country can act as the world’s police, nor do we accept that any nation can claim to be the world’s judge.”
He added that “the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law,” marking his first public comments since images of the 63-year-old Maduro blindfolded and handcuffed circulated on Saturday.
Maduro is currently being held at a detention centre in New York and is awaiting a court appearance on Monday on drug-related charges.
China has been seeking to expand its diplomatic influence globally, a goal highlighted when it brokered a surprise reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, and pledged to “play a constructive role in global hotspot issues.” Analysts note that China’s experience confronting the United States in trade negotiations has further strengthened its confidence on the international stage.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that Washington will temporarily oversee Venezuela’s government presents a potential challenge to the “all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership” China shares with Venezuela, which was formalized in 2023, marking nearly 50 years of diplomatic relations.
A Chinese government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described Maduro’s detention as “a big blow to China,” noting that Beijing had sought to be a dependable partner to Venezuela. The official also referenced Maduro’s son, who enrolled at Peking University in 2016, stating it remains unclear whether he will return to China despite years of diplomatic engagement centred on his education.
China, the world’s second-largest economy, has provided Venezuela with an economic lifeline since U.S. sanctions intensified in 2017. In 2024, China purchased roughly $1.6 billion worth of Venezuelan goods, almost half of which was crude oil. Chinese state-owned oil companies had also invested approximately $4.6 billion in Venezuela by 2018, according to data from the American Enterprise Institute, which tracks Chinese overseas corporate investment.
Wang’s remarks underscore China’s opposition to foreign interference in sovereign nations and reaffirm Beijing’s commitment to protecting its diplomatic and economic interests in Latin America.
