WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has sparked discussion on Chinese social media, with some users suggesting the operation could serve as a model for how Beijing might address tensions with Taiwan.
Social Media Reactions in China
The operation against Maduro became a trending topic on China’s Weibo platform on Jan. 3, garnering approximately 440 million views. Many Chinese commentators drew parallels between the situation in Venezuela and the status of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own.
One user suggested, “I suggest using the same method to reclaim Taiwan in the future,” in a post that received over 700 likes. Another user questioned the relevance of international law, stating, “Since the US doesn’t take international law seriously, why should we care about it?”
A third user wrote, “The US imperialists’ lightning raid on Venezuela to capture Maduro and his wife provides a perfect blueprint for our military to launch a surprise attack on Frog Island and seize Lai Ching-te,” using a derogatory term for Taiwan and referring to its president, Mr. Lai.
China’s Official Response
China’s Foreign Ministry called for the release of Maduro and his wife, asserting that the raid violated international law, basic norms of international relations, and the principles of the UN Charter. The ministry had previously “deeply shocked” by what it called the “blatant use of force against a sovereign state.”
Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Xi Jinping and Taiwan
Chinese President Xi Jinping has increased military pressure around Taiwan, including conducting live-fire drills, which Trump downplayed. However, Beijing has largely refrained from using direct violence, opting for coercion and diplomatic efforts to isolate Taipei.
Experts suggest that Trump’s actions in Venezuela could provide Beijing with more leeway to escalate military aggression in its own region. Ryan Hass, a former U.S. diplomat at the Brookings Institution, noted that Beijing’s actions regarding Taiwan have not been based on adherence to international law.
Hass added that Beijing may expect the same “latitude for great power exemptions to international law” that the U.S. appears to be taking, citing China’s activities in the South China Sea.
U.S. Role and Potential Implications
The U.S. has historically been a restraining force on Chinese aggression towards Taiwan, with the threat of sanctions and military intervention. However, Trump’s actions could allow Xi to portray China as a defender of the international rules-based order, which the U.S. is increasingly seen as moving away from.
Xinhua News Agency criticized the U.S. operation as a return to “the colonial era of barbaric plunder,” and accused the U.S. of hypocrisy regarding its stated reasons for intervention.
A high-level Chinese delegation, including Special Representative Qiu Xiaoqi, met with Maduro in Caracas shortly before his capture. It remains unclear if the diplomats were still in the country during the attack.
Margaret Myers, senior adviser at the Inter-American Dialogue, believes China is well-positioned to maintain engagement with those currently in power in Venezuela, given its substantial investments and the country’s strategic importance.
China has strengthened ties with Venezuela in recent years, becoming a key customer for its oil exports, which represent approximately 95% of Venezuela’s revenue. The Trump administration has recently increased pressure on this trade, sanctioning companies involved in evading restrictions.
Military Capabilities
Trump’s operation involved months of intelligence work and over 150 aircraft, with U.S. forces having extensive experience in hostile environments. Drew Thompson, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, questioned whether the People’s Liberation Army possesses similar experience, suggesting China might consider alternative methods, such as assassinations, to neutralize Taiwan’s leadership.
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