China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, on January 5, 2026, strongly condemned the United States' military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. Beijing labeled the US actions as a blatant use of force against a sovereign state, a serious violation of international law, and an infringement on Venezuela's sovereignty, threatening peace and security in Latin America and the Caribbean region. When questioned on whether these developments would impact China's Latin American policy, spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated that China's approach to Latin American and Caribbean countries remains consistent and stable. He emphasized China's long-standing principles of equality, mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and non-interference in internal affairs, asserting that China would continue to be a good friend and partner, supporting these nations' core interests like national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning further stressed on January 7, 2026, that China's lawful rights and interests in Venezuela must be protected. However, the sudden capture of Maduro has prompted international analysts to suggest that while China maintains its rhetoric of consistent policy, it will likely need to reassess its substantial investments and broader strategy in the region. Many believe the event underscores the vulnerabilities of China's partnerships in Latin America and could be seen as a setback to its strategy of using economic leverage to build political influence in what the US considers its sphere of influence. Nonetheless, China's official response focuses on upholding international law and condemning unilateral intervention, positioning itself as a proponent of stability despite the dramatic shifts in regional geopolitics.