Trump’s attack leaves China worried about its interests in Venezuela | Amy Hawkins

<p>Maduro had just affirmed ‘strong bonds of brotherhood’ with Beijing when US made its shocking intervention</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jan/06/venezuela-live-updates-maduro-trump-us-attack-opposition-machado-return">Venezuela crisis – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Hours before his life and the fate of his country was changed dramatically, Venezuela’s leader, Nicolás Maduro, was <a href="https://news.sky.com/video/maduro-seen-hosting-chinese-envoy-hours-before-us-capture-13490274">exchanging smiles and handshakes</a> with a Chinese delegation in the presidential palace in Caracas.</p><p>On Friday evening, shortly before he was <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/04/us-running-venezuela-now-seems-less-likely-but-second-intervention-possible">seized by US forces</a>, Maduro wrote on Telegram of his meeting with China’s special envoy for Latin American affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi: “A fraternal meeting that reaffirms the strong bonds of brotherhood and friendship between China and Venezuela. Through thick and thin!”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/05/venezuela-trump-attack-china-interests-analysis">Continue reading...</a>