Before the US bombed Venezuela, Chinese special envoy met with Maduro for three hours!
Recently, a video released by Venezuelan state media has drawn attention from the US: Chinese Special Envoy for Latin American Affairs held an exclusive meeting with President Maduro in Caracas for more than three hours.
The timing of this meeting was extremely sensitive—just one day before the US bombed Venezuela. Currently, Maduro has declared a "state of emergency" across the country, and the first round of US bombing has been announced to be over. At almost the same time, it was revealed that the Pentagon is assessing the effects of "air strikes" on key military and energy facilities in Venezuela.
Over the past decade, China has deeply integrated into Venezuela's energy and financial system through investments, loans, and infrastructure cooperation. In the oil sector alone, there is a long-term "oil-for-loan" agreement between China and Venezuela, making China one of the largest buyers of Venezuelan crude oil.
If the US takes military action against Venezuela, it will not only disrupt the regional order but could also directly impact China's overseas interests and energy security.
The US military's limited forces cannot occupy Venezuela, but targeted air strikes or cyberattacks could cripple its power, refining, and command systems. Such a "surgical strike" has low cost, low risk, and can create a window of chaos.
In the short term, the confusion caused by direct US bombing may work, but China's early intervention adds uncertainty. On one hand, China may apply pressure through multilateral platforms such as the UN and BRICS; on the other hand, it may also accelerate coordination with countries like Russia and Iran to form a "joint protection" situation for Venezuela.
US-Venezuela Tensions Intensify
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853284934363404/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.