The U.S.’s extraordinary capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3 prompted official reactions in Asia ranging from seeming indifference to outright indignation.
The cautious statements from U.S. allies likely belied shock. Japan’s missive focused largely on consular considerations for Japanese nationals, while noting its “respect for the principles of international law.” South Korea pressed “all parties to make every effort to ease tensions in the region.” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese echoed these sentiments.
As with Canada’s response, trade and security considerations influenced these reactions; Washington’s allies likely fear retaliatory tariffs, or worse.
The U.S. National Security Strategy, published last month, pledged to “restore American pre-eminence in the Western Hemisphere,” and suggested a “readjustment” of the U.S.’s military presence in line with this shift.
Shock, and a bit of awe
Beijing said it was “deeply shocked and strongly condemned” the U.S.’s “blatant use of force against a sovereign state.” China is Venezuela’s largest creditor, with outstanding loans totalling an estimated US$10–20 billion, according to Sinocism, a China-focused newsletter.
In 2023, Venezuela became China's only “all-weather strategic partner” in Latin America. Roughly four per cent of China’s oil imports come from Venezuela.
A Chinese diplomat met with Maduro in Caracas just hours before he was captured by the U.S. military, and Venezuela’s China-sourced defence systems failed to stop the early-morning storm of American jets, helicopters, and soldiers. China’s state-run Global Times even acknowledged “the U.S.’s new tactical adjustments [...] and the deployment of more advanced weapons.”
Although an embarrassment for China in the short term, the U.S.’s capture of Maduro could represent a propaganda ‘win’ in the long term. Since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House, Beijing — despite evidence to the contrary — has cast itself as a responsible global power and defender of the Global South.
The U.S.’s apparent disregard for international law in Venezuela could persuade more countries that China, rather than the U.S., is a more reliable partner.
Trump is expected to visit China in April.
