International Affairs
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Venezuela Defies the U.S. -
Continues Alliance with Russia & China
- Venezuela defiantly asserts its sovereign right to maintain alliances with Russia and China.
- Its ambassador to Moscow declared that no outside power can dictate Venezuela’s international relations.
- Venezuela also assured China that their critical oil and investment partnerships will continue unchanged.
- This event marks a drastic U.S. escalation from sanctions to the military capture of a foreign leader.
On January 3, U.S. forces launched an operation in Caracas, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. They were transported to the United States, where they appeared in a New York federal court on charges of “narco-terrorism.” Both pleaded not guilty. In the wake of the capture, U.S. President Donald Trump stated Washington would “run” Venezuela in the interim. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was swiftly sworn in as the nation’s authorized president.
A firm stance from Moscow
Velasquez from Moscow: ‘No one dictates to us’
The ambassador emphasized that a strategic partnership agreement signed by the presidents of Russia and Venezuela last May remains fully in effect. This pact broadens cooperation in energy, mining, security, and counter-terrorism. Velasquez also insisted that Maduro is Venezuela’s legitimate president and that the country’s constitution forbids extraditing its citizens for foreign trials. “International law must prevail,” he said.
Reassurances to Beijing
Similar assurances are being offered to China, which is a major financial lifeline and the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude oil. Ambassador Remigio Ceballos in Beijing sought to calm investors, dismissing reports that Washington would force Venezuela to sell oil at a specific price. “Regarding oil pricing, Venezuela will not heed the arrangements of the United States or other countries,” Ceballos stated. “We have the right to make independent decisions.”
He described the capture of Maduro as a “warning to the entire world” but stressed the resilience of the Caracas-Beijing alliance. “China and Venezuela are trusted partners,” Ceballos said, noting that Chinese investments and joint ventures, particularly in the vital oil sector, would continue unimpeded. This commitment is crucial for Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves but has seen production crippled by sanctions and mismanagement.
Caracas ‘will not heed the arrangements of the US’ regarding oil price, affirmed Ceballos in Beijing
However, Venezuela’s defiant posture highlights a deeper geopolitical struggle. For years, the U.S. has sought to isolate governments in Caracas, Moscow, and Beijing, using economic sanctions as a primary tool. This latest escalation, moving from sanctions to direct military capture of a foreign head of state, represents a radical new tactic. The Venezuelan response underscores a growing global friction between unilateral actions and the principle of national sovereignty.
The situation places other nations in a difficult position. Chinese President Xi Jinping, meeting with Uruguay’s leader, recently affirmed China’s support for the sovereignty of Latin American countries. The global reaction continues to evolve, as nations weigh the implications of the U.S. action against their own economic and diplomatic interests.
What we are witnessing is more than a regional dispute. It is a direct challenge to a world order where powerful nations can project military force to enact regime change and dictate economic terms. Venezuela’s refusal to bend, even under extreme pressure, signals a hardening of alliances that could redefine international relations for years to come.
Read other articles by Cassie B. here
Posted February 6, 2026
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