China requests that the US "stop toppling" the Venezuelan government and free Maduro.

China has urged the US to free Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro right away after Washington launched huge military attacks on Caracas, the country's capital, and other areas, kidnapping the leader.

Calling the strike a "clear violation of international law," Beijing demanded on Sunday that the security of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores be given top priority and urged the United States to "stop toppling the government of Venezuela."

It was China's second remark since US President Donald Trump claimed on Saturday that Washington had flown Maduro and his spouse out of the nation. Beijing urged Washington to follow the UN charter on Saturday, denouncing the US for "hegemonic acts" and "blatant use of force" against Venezuela and its government.

Andy Mok, a senior research fellow at the Centre for China and Globalisation, says China is keeping a careful eye on events in Venezuela. Beijing was not shocked by Washington's decision, considering the extent of US geopolitical and economic interests in the region, and that a Chinese delegation had met with Venezuelan officials just hours before the US action.

He claimed that the operation's execution was noteworthy because it might "represent the long-term US strategy in the region."

Despite making up only 4-5 percent of Venezuela's overall oil imports, Mok said, China is the country's biggest oil buyer. Beyond energy, he said, Beijing is closely monitoring political developments in Latin America due to its expanding trade and investment interests in the region.

Given that Latin America is a "pillar of China's Global South strategy," Mok cautioned that if a future US administration were to resurrect a Monroe Doctrine-style approach, tensions with China may rise.

Rein, the founder of the China Market Research Group, told Al Jazeera, "I think China has issued a very strong condemnation of the United States, and they're working with other Latin American and Caribbean countries to say this isn't right."

Beijing is extremely concerned but has few options, according to Rein.

"China is limited in what it can accomplish. To be honest, it lacks military might. Rein pointed out that America has 800 military bases outside of China, whereas it only has two, emphasising that "historically, China is not warlike."

"China will only issue statements denouncing the actions of the United States; they will not retaliate militarily or likely with economic sanctions."

Worldwide denunciations and festivities

Since the US military action in Venezuela, reactions from around the world have been overwhelming, with opinions on the involvement being sharply divided. While nations with right-wing administrations, like as Argentina and Ecuador, have mainly welcomed Maduro's removal, left-leaning regional leaders, such as those of Brazil, Colombia, Chile, and Mexico, have mostly condemned it.

According to the state news agency KCNA on Sunday, North Korea condemned the US strikes on Venezuela, calling them "the most serious form of encroachment of sovereignty."

According to a representative for North Korea's Foreign Ministry, "the incident is another example that clearly confirms once again the rogue and brutal nature of the United States," KCNA reported.

In response, South Korea demanded a reduction in hostilities on Sunday.

"Our administration calls on all concerned parties to work as hard as possible to reduce tensions in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We hope for a swift stabilisation of the situation via dialogue, ensuring democracy is restored and the will of the Venezuelan people is honoured."

On Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that while he supported a "peaceful, democratic transition" of power in Venezuela, he also called for adherence to international law. In a statement, he claimed that his government was "monitoring developments."

Venezuela has been more and more isolated, especially following Maduro's contentious election in 2024. However, China and Russia still have close strategic and economic ties, and because they both oppose US policy, partnerships with Iran have expanded.