China calls on US to “immediately release” Venezuela's Maduro

• Condemnation and Legal Challenge: China’s foreign ministry denounced the US military strike and capture of Nicolás Maduro as a "clear violation of international law" calling for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
• The operation has triggered a profound split in the international community, with Russia and Iran joining China in supporting Maduro’s legitimacy while US allies—including France and the EU—expressed deep "disquiet" over the unilateral use of force despite their long-standing opposition to the Maduro regime.

China called on the United States on Sunday to immediately release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after Washington carried out a strike on Caracas and abducted the leader.

"China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the government of Venezuela," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement, calling the strike a "clear violation of international law".

The US military operation that led to the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Saturday sparked international alarm, with allies and foes of Washington and Caracas expressing disquiet.

President Donald Trump said that the United States would "run" Venezuela and tap its huge oil reserves, and posted a picture of Maduro in custody on a US naval ship wearing a blindfold and handcuffs.

Maduro and his wife were flown by helicopter to New York City, where they face drug-trafficking and weapons charges.

They were abducted by US special forces during a pre-dawn attack in which air strikes pounded sites in and around the Venezuelan capital Caracas late on Saturday.

Countries such as China, Russia, and Iran, which have longstanding ties with Maduro's government, were quick to condemn the operation but their alarm was also shared by Washington's allies including France and the EU.