By Zoila Palma: President Donald Trump’s assertion of U.S. control over Venezuela’s oil has introduced a new geopolitical challenge involving China, which holds significant debt claims and oil interests in the South American nation.
Beijing is owed an estimated $10 billion by Venezuela under oil-for-loans agreements struck during the administrations of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, and Chinese state-owned firms China National Petroleum Corp. and Sinopec are entitled to an estimated 4.4 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves, AP reports.
Analysts say these overlapping claims could complicate Washington’s efforts to reshape Venezuela’s energy sector following Maduro’s capture.
Despite the tensions, experts suggest the Trump administration may seek to avoid turning Venezuela into a broader flashpoint with Beijing, particularly as Trump is expected to visit China in April to preserve a fragile trade truce reached with President Xi Jinping.
Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Washington appears focused on limiting escalation with China while maintaining leverage.
U.S. officials, however, have made clear their intent to reduce what they describe as “adversarial outside influence” in the Western Hemisphere.
The United States has already moved to assert control over Venezuelan oil shipments, seizing two sanctioned tankers and announcing plans to sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of crude from storage facilities, with proceeds held in U.S.-controlled accounts.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the funds would ultimately benefit the Venezuelan people, though it remains unclear how competing claims from Chinese and U.S. companies—many stemming from past nationalizations—will be resolved or prioritized.
China, which loaned Venezuela more than $100 billion between 2000 and 2023, has condemned the U.S. action, calling Maduro’s capture a violation of sovereignty and demanding his release.
Beijing has warned against interference in its economic ties with Caracas, though analysts note Venezuela accounts for only a small share of China’s oil imports.
While China’s broader investments in Venezuelan infrastructure are now at risk, experts say Beijing’s ability to protect those assets is limited if Washington continues applying direct pressure, signaling a likely reduction of Chinese influence in the region.
The post International News: Trump faces China challenge over debt and oil stakes in Venezuela appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: President Donald Trump’s assertion of U.S. control over Venezuela’s oil has introduced a new geopolitical challenge involving China, which holds significant debt claims and oil interests in the South American nation. Beijing is owed an estimated $10 billion by Venezuela under oil-for-loans agreements struck during the administrations of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás
The post International News: Trump faces China challenge over debt and oil stakes in Venezuela appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
