The sudden detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces has sent shockwaves across global diplomatic circles, drawing fierce criticism from rivals and allies alike. The operation, ordered by former US President Donald Trump and reportedly executed by elite American special forces, has quickly become one of the most controversial geopolitical flashpoints of the year.
What has intensified the outrage is the timing. Just hours before US troops moved in, Maduro appeared on Venezuelan state television hosting senior Chinese officials at Caracas’ Miraflores Palace. The meeting, widely broadcast and later confirmed through official channels, underscored Beijing’s deepening strategic ties with the embattled South American nation.
Nicolas Maduro’s last meeting was with Chinese officials
Maduro was last seen publicly alongside Qiu Xiaoqi, China’s Special Representative for Latin American Affairs. In a statement shared on Telegram, Maduro described the discussion as “pleasant” and emphasised a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across economic and political fronts, particularly in pursuit of what he called a “multipolar world of development and peace.”
International observers now see that meeting as more than ceremonial. Analysts say it symbolised China’s growing footprint in Latin America, a region long viewed by Washington as part of its traditional sphere of influence.
What occurred next was the military attack
Within hours of that meeting, the US launched what officials described as a “large-scale” military action dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve. Reports claim top-tier Delta Force units were involved in Maduro’s capture, though Washington has not released full operational details.
The fate of the Chinese delegation present in Venezuela at the time remains unclear, adding another layer of uncertainty and speculation to an already volatile situation.
What we know about Beijing’s sharp response
China reacted swiftly and forcefully. Its Foreign Ministry condemned the move as a “brazen use of force against a sovereign state,” warning that such actions undermine international law and threaten regional stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Chinese officials framed the operation as part of a broader pattern of US unilateralism, a charge that has gained traction on social media platforms in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Hashtags accusing Washington of neo-imperial ambitions began trending within hours of the announcement.
Oil at the centre of the storm
Fueling the controversy further was Trump’s immediate declaration that US companies would move in to develop Venezuela’s oil sector. The country holds an estimated 300 billion barrels of proven reserves, the largest in the world, yet years of sanctions, mismanagement, and infrastructure decay have crippled production.
Speaking from Mar-a-Lago, Trump said American oil giants would invest billions to repair facilities and dramatically increase output. He also confirmed that a continued US military presence would remain in Venezuela to safeguard these operations, a statement that critics argue confirms long-held suspicions about Washington’s true motives.
Beyond oil, experts say the episode reflects a deeper strategic rivalry. As the US and China race to dominate artificial intelligence development, access to cheap and abundant energy has become a critical factor. Control over energy-rich regions like Venezuela is increasingly viewed as a strategic advantage in this technological arms race.
“This isn’t just about Maduro,” one geopolitical analyst noted. “It’s about who controls energy flows in a world where data centers and AI models consume unprecedented power.”
What comes next for Venezuela?
With Maduro detained and US forces on the ground, Venezuela now stands at a crossroads. Protest movements, regional governments, and international institutions are closely watching how power reshapes inside the country. For many Venezuelans, the promise of economic revival clashes with fears of foreign control and prolonged instability.
As global reactions continue to pour in, one thing is clear: the capture of a sitting president has altered diplomatic norms and reopened debates about sovereignty in an era where power, energy, and technology are deeply intertwined.
