"Speculation over President Maduro's political future has intensified after US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off the country's coast. The incident underscored Washington's longstanding interest in a nation that holds the world's largest proven oil reserves an interest shared, albeit for different reasons, by China. "Whoever comes to power, I can assure you, the first call will be Trump, but the second will be Xi Jinping," says Parsifal D'Sola Alvarado, a specialist in ChinaLatin America relations."
"He previously worked with Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Guaido, where he managed contacts with Chinese officials. Speaking with DW, D'Sola Alvarado said he doubts China would stand firmly behind Maduro in the event of a confrontation with Washington. Beyond diplomatic and political support, he finds it "highly unlikely that China will offer more proactive support to Maduro, selling arms, or new large investments. China doesn't want more problems with the US.""
US forces seized a Venezuelan oil tanker off the country's coast, sharply escalating pressure on President Maduro's government. The incident highlights Washington's interest in Venezuela, which holds the world's largest proven oil reserves, and signals overlapping US and Chinese stakes. Parsifal D'Sola Alvarado expects incoming leaders to be courted by both the US and China. D'Sola Alvarado doubts China would offer military backing or large new investments to defend Maduro, given Beijing's desire to avoid confrontation with the US. In 2023 nearly two-thirds of Venezuelan crude exports went to China while 23% went to the US. US sanctions on PDVSA since 2019 and earlier financial restrictions in 2017 coincided with a prolonged collapse in Venezuelan oil production and exports from pre-crisis peaks.
Read at www.dw.com
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