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US Venezuela Strike Deals Blow to China's Latin America Ambitions

The recent US military action in Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, is seen as a direct setback to China's expanding geopolitical and economic ambitions in Latin America. The strike occurred shortly after Maduro met with a Chinese delegation, signaling a US warning for Beijing to stay out of what Washington considers its hemisphere. China has become the largest trading partner for several Latin American nations and the primary importer of Venezuelan oil, investing billions through oil-for-loans deals. Additionally, China has strengthened military ties and built strategic infrastructure, including ports and a space-tracking station, across the region.

Key Points: US Venezuela Strike: Setback for China's Latin America Influence

  • US strike targets China's influence
  • China is top buyer of Venezuelan oil
  • Beijing invests in ports and infrastructure
  • Military hardware sales to regional allies
  • US warns against Beijing's growing ties
2 min read

'US strike in Venezuela comes as big setback for China's geopolitical ambitions'

US military action in Venezuela targets China's growing economic and military influence in Latin America, a region Washington considers its backyard.

"China has emerged as the country's number one oil importer and in return has poured tens of billions of dollars into oil-for-loans deals - ABC News report"

New Delhi, Jan 7

The US strike in Venezuela and the capture of the country's President, Nicolás Maduro, also comes as a big setback to China, at a time when the Asian giant was expanding its influence in Latin America, according to media reports.

An ABC News report states that the US attack was launched just hours after Venezuelan President Maduro met a special Chinese delegation, and the timing does not seem to be a coincidence.

Indicating that apart from its other goals, the US has also sent a clear message to China to stay away from the Western Hemisphere, which Washington considers its backyard.

The report highlights that for months, the US and President Donald Trump have been sounding warnings about the increasing ties of Latin America with Beijing and trying to effect a diplomatic recalibration. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also stated that one of the goals of the intervention was to curb investment from US adversaries - including China - in Venezuela's oil industry.

China is the biggest buyer of Venezuela's oil, accounting for as much as 80 per cent of the Latin American country's export.

The ABC report further states that China has also displaced Washington as the biggest trading partner in other Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Chile, and Peru, in recent years. It is even the second-largest trading partner with one of the US's closest allies in the region, neighbouring Mexico. Besides, the Communist country has investments in at least a dozen major ports in the region, including a big port in Peru and a space-tracking station in Bolivia.

Apart from the economic links, China has also strengthened its relations with the sale of military hardware, including fighter jets to countries such as Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina, the report pointed out.

"If you look specifically at Venezuela, China has emerged as the country's number one oil importer and in return has poured tens of billions of dollars into oil-for-loans deals - mainly for energy and infrastructure, filling critical voids and increasing reliance on Beijing," the report observed.

The article also cites a recent Chinese government policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean, which mentions how a "significant shift is taking place in the international balance of power" with reference to the US.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Very complex situation. On one hand, Maduro's regime was problematic for its own people. On the other, this sets a dangerous precedent of intervention. The timing right after the Chinese meeting is definitely not a coincidence. The world is becoming a new Cold War chessboard.
A
Arjun K
China overplayed its hand. They thought they could buy influence everywhere, but the US still has the ultimate military card. For India, this is a lesson in strategic patience and building genuine partnerships, not just cheque-book diplomacy. Our foreign policy needs more nuance.
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Priyanka N
The article mentions China's military sales too. This is worrying. While the US action is heavy-handed, China's strategy of creating debt traps and selling arms to unstable regions is also destabilizing. The common people in Venezuela are the ones suffering the most in this power game. 😔
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the article is framing this too much as a US vs China story. What about sovereignty? Whether it's Maduro or anyone else, capturing a foreign president is a blatant violation of international law. The "backyard" mentality is outdated in a multipolar world.
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Michael C
From an economic perspective, this will cause massive volatility in oil markets. China was taking 80% of Venezuela's exports! If that supply is disrupted or redirected, it affects global prices. India, as a major importer, needs to be prepared for potential ripple effects.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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