Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and the Chinese government's special representative for Latin American affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, January 2, 2026. MARCELO GARCIA/MIRAFLORES PALACE / VIA REUTERS
Qiu Xiaoqi, the Chinese special representative for Latin America, a seasoned diplomat and a former ambassador to the region, traveled to Caracas at the head of a Chinese delegation on Friday, January 2. That afternoon, he held cordial talks with the Venezuelan president, both exchanging gifts with smiles. On his Instagram account, Nicolas Maduro immediately praised his strong ties with China as pressure from the US continued to mount: "Unbreakable and in all weather!" Just a few hours later, he was abducted by American forces, with no indication as to whether the Chinese envoys had even left Caracas.
The operation, proudly announced by Donald Trump, has marked a setback for China, which had considered the Venezuelan government an ally in its struggle against the US and an economic partner despite its shortcomings. "No country can act as if it is the world's policeman or an international judge," condemned Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday, after Chinese diplomats had already voiced their total opposition on Saturday to what they called "the hegemonic behavior of the United States."
