‘Shocked’ China demands US release Maduro after ‘trampling’ Venezuela’s sovereignty

China delivered a strongly worded message to the United States on Monday at an “emergency” meeting of the UN Security Council, calling on Washington to abide by international law, end its illusion that it is the world’s police force and court, and immediately release Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

The remarks by Sun Lei, deputy permanent representative of China to the UN, came some 60 hours after the couple was seized in an audacious midnight raid on Saturday at their compound in Caracas and whisked to New York to stand trial on drug and weapons charges.

“China is deeply shocked by and strongly condemns the unilateral, illegal and bullying acts by the United States,” Sun said. “As a permanent member of the Council, the US has disregarded the grave concerns of the international community, wantonly trampled upon Venezuela’s sovereignty, security and legitimate rights and interests and seriously violated the principles of sovereign equality.”

Washington’s UN representative Mike Waltz countered that the US conducted a law enforcement action that did not merit diplomatic oversight, that Maduro was not a legitimate head of state and that his repression and illegal activities have long been recognised.