As the situation in Latin America grows more heated than ever, Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a powerful message to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, reaffirming Beijing’s support for Caracas and warning against any external interference. The birthday letter to the Venezuelan leader, published over the weekend, was more than a diplomatic gesture — it was a clear reminder of a shifting global order.
Xi described China and Venezuela as “close friends, trusted brothers, and good partners,” pledging that Beijing would continue to stand with Caracas in “safeguarding sovereignty, national security, and social stability.”
The message carried an unmistakable external implication: China opposes any foreign intervention in Venezuela’s internal affairs — a pointed reference to the United States.
The timing of the letter coincided with Washington’s intensified military activity near Venezuela. Nearly a dozen U.S. warships and about 12,000 troops were deployed in the Caribbean and off Venezuela’s coast under the “Southern Spear” operation, which the U.S. claims is aimed at combating drug trafficking and ensuring maritime security.
However, analysts argue that the scale of the operation far exceeds typical anti-smuggling missions, raising concerns among regional countries about the potential for a larger confrontation.
China’s Foreign Ministry swiftly criticized the operation, reiterating Beijing’s opposition to any act that threatens peace or violates national sovereignty — a principle China insists upon, especially as the U.S. continues its support for Taiwan.
China and Russia speak in unison
Not only China, but Russia has echoed strong support for Maduro. President Vladimir Putin called Maduro a “close friend” and expressed readiness to deepen strategic cooperation between Moscow and Caracas.
The alignment of Beijing and Moscow highlights Venezuela’s emergence as a new flashpoint in global geopolitical competition, where U.S., Chinese, and Russian interests increasingly collide.
This development comes exactly as Washington strengthens ties with Taiwan — a move both Beijing and Caracas see as a provocation against their sovereignty.
Escalation fears: Commercial aviation disrupted, security warnings spike
The situation grew more alarming when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an “extreme caution” alert for flights over Venezuelan airspace, citing rising military risks.
Major airlines including Iberia, LatAm, Avianca, Gol, and Caribbean Airlines temporarily halted routes to Caracas. Others, like Turkish Airlines, suspended flights for several days.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, arrived in Puerto Rico to inspect the ongoing operation — his second visit within a few months.
Latin American nations fear conflict ignition
Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a high-level security dialogue involving the U.S., China, and regional countries to defuse tensions. Petro emphasized the need to halt militarization and prevent Venezuela from becoming the spark of a U.S.–China confrontation “in Washington’s own backyard.”
A world in motion
In a broader context, China’s move is seen by analysts as an indirect response to Washington’s hardened stance on Taiwan and the South China Sea. By publicly backing Latin American governments against “external interference,” Beijing aims to assert its global influence and expand its network of strategic partners.
Meanwhile, Venezuela — a nation long plagued by political and economic crises — sees this as an opportunity to strengthen its international standing and build leverage against mounting pressure from Washington.
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