China demands US release Maduro: Details of the crisis and Rodriguez's assumption of the presidency
In a dangerous escalation of global geopolitical events, the People’s Republic of China on Sunday demanded that the United States immediately and unconditionally release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, following Washington’s execution of a special military operation in the capital Caracas that led to his arrest and transfer to US territory.
Beijing condemns violation of international law
The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement calling on Washington to guarantee the physical and personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, stressing the need for their immediate release and an end to attempts to overthrow the legitimate government of Venezuela. Beijing described the US military operation as a blatant and flagrant violation of international law and the principles of the UN Charter, which prohibit interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states.
Emergency changes in the Venezuelan power structure
Domestically in Venezuela, and in anticipation of a constitutional vacuum, the Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the duties of the presidency temporarily. The court's Constitutional Chamber explained that Rodríguez, as the constitutionally mandated party, would assume all the powers and responsibilities of the president of the Bolivarian Republic, in order to "guarantee the continuity of government administration and the overall defense of the homeland" against what it described as external aggression.
It is worth noting that the court judges have not yet declared Maduro “permanently absent,” a procedure that would constitutionally require calling for early presidential elections within 30 days, indicating the Venezuelan regime’s adherence to Maduro’s legitimacy despite his arrest.
Background of the US-Venezuelan conflict
This event is not a spontaneous occurrence, but rather the culmination of years of escalating tensions between Washington and Caracas. The United States has long accused the Maduro regime of corruption and human rights abuses, and the US Department of Justice has previously filed formal charges against him related to narco-terrorism, offering substantial financial rewards for information leading to his capture. This military operation is a practical application of those ongoing threats, placing international relations at a critical historical juncture.
International dimensions and the Chinese position
China’s hardline stance stems from the deep strategic partnership between Beijing and Caracas. China is one of Venezuela’s largest creditors and a major investor in Venezuela’s oil sector, which boasts the world’s largest proven reserves. China fears that regime change by force would threaten its economic interests, and its principled opposition to the Western powers’ policy of “regime change” could open the door to a broader diplomatic confrontation at the UN Security Council.
Details of Maduro's arrival in New York
On the ground, AFP cameras documented Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's arrival on Saturday at Stewart International Airport in upstate New York, where he appeared surrounded by US security personnel after being swiftly transported from Caracas. Reports indicate that Maduro is scheduled to be flown by helicopter to New York City to face charges in a US court related to drug trafficking, marking a historic first for a sitting head of state.
