One of the prevailing narratives that's emerged following the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and the detention of President Nicolás Maduro is that this is a major setback for China. Some analysts have called it a "strategic failure" on Beijing's part, while others have described it as "reality check" for China's role as a "global player."
But China's ability to influence events in Venezuela and elsewhere in Latin America is extremely limited, so the assessment that what happened in Caracas was a blow to Beijing may also be overstated.
Alonso Illueca, CGSP's non-resident fellow for Latin America and the Caribbean, joins Eric from Panama City to discuss whether Maduro's capture presents new risks or opportunities for China.
📌 Topics covered include:
- China's response to the U.S. detention of Nicolás Maduro
- Why Venezuela matters to China: oil, loans, and exposure
- Why Venezuela is not a Taiwan precedent
- The U.S. "Our Hemisphere" doctrine and spheres of influence
- China's special envoy visit to Caracas
- Short-term setbacks vs. long-term gains for China
- Electoral pushback against China in Latin America
- Panama tensions over ports and Chinese-linked infrastructure
- Why Latin America cannot quickly decouple from China
- Military force vs. economic leverage in U.S.–China rivalry
Show Notes:
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