Trump Gives China a Propaganda Win in Latin America

The Trump administration's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife after a lightning raid early Saturday morning and its ensuing push to assert control over the country is a reminder of Washington’s determination to assert its interests in its hemisphere while serving to sideline its Chinese rival—at least for now—one analyst says.

Since the attack, which Venezuelan officials say killed at least 80 people, including civilians, President Donald Trump has threatened further action if the new acting leader, Maduro’s former No. 2 Delcy Rodriguez, does not cooperate with a range of U.S. priorities, including building out oil infrastructure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials have also made it clear U.S. officials insist the move is not about seizing Venezuela’s vast petroleum reserves but about keeping the country free from the control of U.S. adversaries, including longtime Venezuelan partners such as China, Russia and Iran.

Read more