The Trump administration’s capture of Nicolás Maduro didn’t just shake Venezuela, it sent political shockwaves across Latin America and around the world.
NEW DELHI, INDIA - JANUARY 12: A man puts up the national flag of Venezuela near a photo of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro as he takes part in a public meeting and protest against U.S. Actions In Venezuela, on January 12, 2026 in New Delhi, India.
The Trump administration’s capture of Nicolás Maduro didn’t just shake Venezuela; it sent political shockwaves across Latin America and around the world. But one country, in particular, has a lot at stake here: China. And according to a new report from theThe Commission explains that China’s relationship with Venezuela accelerated rapidly after Hugo Chávez was elected in 1998, marking the start of a much closer political and economic alignment between Caracas and Beijing. Fast forward to 2023, and the two governments officially upgraded their ties into what China calls an “all-weather strategic partnership.” That’s one of Beijing’s higher-level diplomatic designations, and it signals plans for long-term cooperation spanning politics, trade, energy, and more. But the report also emphasizes something important: this partnership may be strong, but it does not create formal security guarantees the way a treaty alliance would. So what does “propping up” Venezuela actually mean? Critics often say China has been “propping up” Venezuela, and based on the Commission’s analysis, that really comes down to money and oil. The USCC says Chinese policy banks have loaned more to Venezuela than to any other country in Latin America, and analysts estimate that at least $10 billion in Chinese loans remain outstanding.The report says China purchases most of Venezuela’s oil, even in the face of U.S. sanctions, and that oil revenue is crucial because it represents over half of Venezuela’s fiscal revenue. So when China buys Venezuelan oil, it’s not just business, it’s survival. The Commission also notes that much of China’s Venezuelan oil intake may be undercounted in official import figures, since the report argues the vast majority of China’s oil imports from Venezuela are recorded as shipments from other countries. And in the broader discussion of how sanctioned oil keeps moving,has also reported on “shadow fleet” tactics tied to Venezuela’s oil exports, including vessels disguised under false names and shipments routed through intermediaries for China-bound purchases.BEIJING, CHINA - DECEMBER 4: China's President Xi Jinping speaks next to France's President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference at the Great Hall of the People on December 3, 2025 in Beijing, China. Macron is on an official visit to China that comes on the heels of continuing tension over trade between China and the EU. This relationship isn’t limited to economics. The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reports Venezuela is the largest purchaser of Chinese military equipment in Latin America. The equipment described spans serious hardware, including armored vehicles, rocket systems, missiles, and military aircraft, and the report claims that some of it has been used to suppress protests inside Venezuela.El Sombrero Satellite Ground Station, located on Captain Manuel Ríos Aerospace BaseAnd according to USCC, these facilities handle telemetry, tracking, and command functions for a Venezuelan civilian satellite. Here’s the key tension: the program is described as civilian, but the report warns that China’s access could still be strategically valuable, because in a major conflict scenario, access points like this could make Chinese space operations more resilient. The Commission even notes that at least one Chinese technician has claimed Beijing can remotely access these facilities.All of this comes as President Trump met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, following concerns about whether she could stabilize and lead the country after Maduro’s removal. And while this part is still evolving politically, what’s already clear is that Venezuela’s future isn’t just a Venezuelan story anymore. It’s a global one, with implications for U.S. policy, regional stability, and the power struggle between Washington and Beijing.also recently highlighted how uncertain the next steps are in Venezuela after Maduro’s arrest, including major questions about legality, governance, and what comes next for U.S. foreign policy in the region.A Ross County family is desperate for answers after a hit-and-run crash killed a man who relatives say was simply walking his dog in his own front yard.Rob Misleh, the brother-in-law of Monique and Spencer Tepe, is speaking out about Dr. Michael McKee, who is accused of killing the couple.Wintry weather continues into the weekend. Accumulating snow is likely Friday night and Saturday . Be prepared for arctic air early next week.HELPFULColumbus Police continue to ask for the public’s help as they search for a dangerous prowler believed to be targeting homes near Sawmill and Hard roads on the cA federal judge issued a confident 30-page ruling, ordering Ohio State University to immediately reverse the expulsion of Guy Christensen from its records
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