Russia, China Lead Global Calls for U.S. to Free Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro

Russia, China Lead Global Calls for U.S. to Free Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro

Venezuela, Russia, China and lawmakers in the United Kingdom have intensified calls on the United States to release Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their capture during a controversial U.S. military operation at the weekend.

At an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday, Russia and China, both permanent members of the council, strongly condemned the U.S. attack on Venezuela, describing it as a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Russia warned that Washington’s action signalled a dangerous return to what it called an era of “lawlessness and domination by force,” accusing the U.S. of acting as a self-appointed global judge driven by political and economic interests. Moscow cautioned that silence by the Security Council would further erode the international order.

China echoed the criticism, stating that “no country can act as the world’s police”, and stressing that military force was not a solution to political disputes. Beijing warned that the arbitrary use of force would only deepen global instability.

READ ALSO:

• Anthony Joshua Weighs Boxing Retirement After Fatal Nigeria Crash Kills Two Close Allies
• Dangote Refinery Maintains Fuel Production Despite Maintenance on Key Units
• Tacha Backs Osimhen, Compares Super Eagles Star to Cristiano Ronaldo After AFCON Row

Cuba, Iran, Colombia and the Non-Aligned Movement also denounced the U.S. action, describing Maduro’s arrest as a “kidnapping” and insisting that the immunity of a sitting head of state had been violated. They warned that the incident could set a dangerous precedent for global diplomacy.

However, divisions emerged within the Security Council. The United Kingdom, EU-aligned states, Panama and Chile said they did not recognise Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president, while also questioning the legality of the U.S. military action. They jointly called for a peaceful, Venezuelan-led transition to democracy.

In London, hundreds of protesters gathered outside Downing Street, chanting “Free Maduro” and urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump over the operation. Several UK lawmakers, including Jeremy Corbyn and Richard Burgon, addressed the rally, as pressure mounted on the Labour government to condemn the U.S. action.

The United States has defended the operation, describing it as a “surgical law-enforcement action” against a “narco-terrorist” it does not recognise as Venezuela’s legitimate leader. U.S. officials said Maduro and Flores were flown to the United States, where they now face drug-related charges.

On Monday, Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance in New York.

The special Security Council session was convened at the request of the Venezuelan government, with the backing of Russia and China, who argued that the U.S. action threatens peace in Latin America and beyond. The council remains deeply divided, with its five permanent members — Russia, China, the United States, France and the UK — holding veto power over any resolution.

Russia, China Lead Global Calls for U.S. to Free Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro