Maduro met with Chinese envoy to discuss 'multipolar world' hours before his capture by US

It's been over a day since the shocking strikes on Venezuela, and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

A wide range of reactions in response to the surprise attack has surfaced, with one of the stronger rebukes coming from China.

A foreign affairs spokesperson issued a statement calling on the U.S. to "abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stop violating other countries’ sovereignty and security".

It later urged the U.S. to stop "toppling" the Venezuelan government and return Maduro.

Venezuela and China officials met

The Venezuelans and the Chinese, long-time allies, apparently had a meeting right before the Maduro's capture by U.S. forces.

According to media reports, Maduro had met with China's special representative on Latin American Affairs, Qiu Xiaoqi, hours before his capture.

In Maduro's Facebook post, he said they talked about reaffirming strategic ties with Beijing, and building a multipolar world of development and peace.

It is unclear if Qiu and the other Chinese delegates were still in Venezuela when the capture occurred, or if they are still there.

Coincidentally, Trump also had a meeting with the U.S> Ambassador to China, David Perdue, on Friday.

When asked on Fox News about the Chinese meeting before Maduro's capture, Trump said it was not a problem, as they would get oil:

"I have a very good relationship with Xi, and there’s not going to be a problem. They’re going to get oil."

Image from Maduro/FB and White House/YouTube