Photo by Cancilleria Ecuador on Creative Commons
In a time of international chaos, especially involving issues about politics, economies, or national security, alliances are difficult to make. With China’s notorious title as a US adversary and an authoritarian regime, it seems like China is making progress at increasing its international diplomacy with other countries.
Recently, China has been exerting its diplomatic influence around the world, especially in Latin American countries like Venezuela. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, one of the world’s most notorious dictators, has been continuously condemned by the United States federal government for his involvement in drug trafficking in Latin America and his dictatorial rule. China has been using this situation to their advantage. Thus, China has exemplified its increasing involvement in Venezuela’s affairs by supporting the central government when it comes to fighting condemnation from the US government.
The US government and specifically the Trump Administration has continuously criticized President Maduro and his government for their involvement with the drug trafficking issue in Latin America. The Harvard International Review notes a concerning surge in violence and corruption in the region due to the rising prevalence of drug cartels throughout the region. As a result, the US has seen instability at the borders with drugs from this crisis being smuggled into the US territory.
In response to the continuous concerns around America’s national security and citizens, the US government has taken action. The Guardian contextualizes how since November, US military buildup in the Caribbean near Venezuela has been responsible for carrying air strikes directed at drug boats in the waters. In a region of political and civil instability, such attacks from the US military only continue to deteriorate their current state.
However, it seems like China is involving itself with protecting Maduro and his country. In response to US military buildup near Venezuela, the Chinese government has accelerated their process of sending drones and aircrafts to Venezuela with commitments to bilateral trade activities to deter US intervention in the drug trafficking issue.
Additionally, due to the persisting dictatorial rule in Venezuela, the US government cut all Venezuelan exports of oil to the US, costing the country 200 billion dollars which amounted to 200% of the Venezuelan GDP. As a result, Reuters explains in September of this year how China has established the China-Venezuela Joint Fund, which provides Venezuela with over 50 billion dollars in exchange for guaranteed oil sales.
Both militarily and economically, China has been supporting Venezuela when the US has placed pressure on the central government. Such actions represent China’s desire to exert diplomatic influence in Venezuela, creating a significant impact on China’s influence in the Latin America region. The impact is monumental. Firstly, the collaboration between Latin American countries and China continues to exacerbate democratic backsliding and the rise of authoritarianism. Both Venezuela and China are known for dictatorial rule on the international stage, and such bilateral agreements only amplify the impacts. Secondly, tensions continue to spread. As the US continues to be embroiled in military conflict with Latin American countries, the intervention of China only deteriorates the existing tensions.
With the current situations and challenges that Venezuela faces, China has allowed itself to exert power over Venezuela’s vulnerability. The US and the international community must be prepared for such partnerships and how this will eventually shape the future of international diplomacy.
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