China issued a stunning four-word demand after US special forces swiftly captured its Venezuelan ally Nicolas Maduro, sparking concerns of rising tensions between Beijing and Washington DC.

The Venezuelan dictator and his wife were nabbed and forcibly removed from their compound in the middle of the night during the audacious mission. Both are now set to appear in a New York court on Monday after being charged with a series of offences, including narco-terrorism and smuggling drugs into the US.

The raid sent shockwaves across the world as the US signalled it was willing to defy international norms and strike effectively against nations it deemed as a threat or annoyance. Beijing and Moscow, who formed an axis against US dominance, have voiced their fury after Maduro was dragged across the Americas to stand trial.

The Chinese foreign ministry struck out with a damning four-word demand aimed at US President Donald Trump: “Release them at once.” Beijing officials then expressed serious concern over their transfer out of the country.”

They added the special forces operation was “in clear violation of international law and the basic norms in international relations and the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter.” They continued: “China calls on the US to ensure the personal safety of President Maduro and his wife, release them at once, stop toppling the Government of Venezuela, and resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation.”

The irony will not be lost on Western observers who have been critical of Chinese and Russian encroachment in the South China Sea and invasion of Ukraine, respectively. Nonetheless, Maduro’s swift capture has angered China as they had extensive interests in oil-rich Venezuela.

Russia also jumped to condemn the special operation, branding it “an act of armed aggression,” reports The Daily Express. Trump justified Maduro’s capture after claiming for months that Venezuela was permitting rampant smuggling of deadly drugs into the US.

He later announced the US would run Venezuela amid of transition of power and that it would send oil companies to the South American country in a bid to extract resources. Members of his administration then put Latin American leaders on notice, hinting the US would be prepared to take action against any government that appeared hostile to Washington DC.

Keir Starmer struck a seemingly neutral stance over the raid, saying: “The UK Government will discuss the evolving situation with US counterparts in the days ahead as we seek a safe and peaceful transition to a legitimate Government that reflects the will of the Venezuelan people.”

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