Why didn’t China protect Venezuela from the US?
The US military intervention in Venezuela in 2026 raises questions about China's influence and response in global geopolitics.
The US military intervention in Venezuela, referred to as Operation Absolute Resolve, marked a significant shift in America's approach to asserting control in the Western hemisphere by targeting and capturing President Nicolás Maduro. This operation represented not only a tactical strike against Venezuela's government but also a strategic assertion of power and influence, signaling the United States' readiness to reassert its dominance in a region long considered within its sphere of influence.
China, having invested considerably in Venezuela's political and economic frameworks, found itself at a crossroads following the US's aggressive maneuvers. The intervention highlighted potential limitations in China's ability to project power or protect its invested interests in other nations amidst rising US assertiveness. Official responses from Beijing condemned the US operations as violations of international law, yet the terms of these statements revealed a cautious approach, hinting at the complexities facing China in its role as a rising global power in a multipolar world.
The incident raises critical questions about the future of international relations in the Americas and how global powers like China manage their investments and influence in regions traditionally dominated by the US. As China's position is reassessed in light of such events, the interplay of military action, diplomacy, and economic ties will become increasingly crucial in defining its role in global geopolitics going forward.