The diplomatic fallout is intensified by the timing of the strike: just hours before U.S. Delta Force operators raided the presidential residence at Ft. Tiuna on Saturday morning, Maduro was hosting Qiu Xiaoqi, the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, at the Miraflores Palace.
The Last Diplomatic Meeting
Maduro used his final hours in power to reinforce Venezuela’s alliance with Beijing. During the meeting with Qiu Xiaoqi, the two leaders reviewed over 600 bilateral agreements and reaffirmed their commitment to a “multipolar world.”
- Strategic Timing: Analysts suggest the meeting was a deliberate show of support from Beijing amid months of escalating U.S. naval pressure.
- The “Tiger” Joke: Reports indicate that during the meeting, Maduro—born in the Year of the Tiger—joked with the Chinese delegation about his zodiac sign and wished them a “Happy New Year” (referring to the upcoming Lunar New Year).
- Economic Stakes: China is Venezuela’s largest crude oil importer and has invested approximately $67 billion in the country’s infrastructure since 2007.
Beijing’s Official Response
Following President Donald Trump’s announcement that Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were being flown to New York to face “narco-terrorism” charges, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a formal statement:
“China is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the use of force by the U.S. against a sovereign country and its president. We urge the U.S. to abide by the UN Charter and stop violating the sovereignty and security of other nations.”
Emergency Directives for Chinese Citizens
The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and the Chinese Embassy in Caracas have issued an urgent safety alert for the thousands of Chinese nationals residing in Venezuela:
- Travel Ban: A total “Do Not Travel” warning for the foreseeable future.
- Shelter in Place: Chinese nationals already in the country are advised to avoid going out “unless absolutely necessary” and to stay clear of conflict zones like Ft. Tiuna or La Carlota Airport.
- Institutional Security: Chinese businesses and institutions have been told to strengthen emergency preparedness and monitor local security feeds 24/7.
Global Reaction: A Divided World
While China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba have condemned the strike as “State Terrorism,” other regional leaders have celebrated the move:
| Nation | Reaction | Stance |
| Argentina | Javier Milei: “Freedom moves forward. Long live freedom, dammit!” | Strong Support |
| Russia | Sergei Lavrov: “Firm solidarity with Venezuela in the face of armed aggression.” | Strongly Opposed |
| Ecuador | Daniel Noboa: “The time is coming for all narco-Chavista criminals.” | Support |
| EU | Kaja Kallas: Called for “restraint” and respect for international law. | Neutral/Concerned |