Venezuelan President Maduro Accuses US of Starting ‘Forever War’
Daniel Di Martino, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, who risks losing his Venezuelan citizenship, weighs in on President Nicolás Maduro’s intentions to target opposition activists. He also discusses President Donald Trump’s denials regarding any potential military strikes in Venezuela.
As the situation unfolds, China is increasing its influence in Venezuela while Trump warns of a “zero tolerance” policy toward the troubled nation. This situation poses significant economic and political risks, often leading to tensions with the United States.
Recently, U.S. defense officials confirmed via Reuters that a carrier strike group had entered the Southern Command Zone, which includes both the Caribbean Sea and South America’s northern coast. The mission focuses on monitoring drug trafficking routes that relate to Venezuelan military leaders.
The Pentagon stated that the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, with over 4,000 sailors and an array of tactical aircraft, enhances the U.S. capacity to detect and disrupt illegal activities. The initiative is aimed at undermining transnational criminal organizations.
China Condemns US Military Buildup as Foreign Interference
Almost immediately, Venezuelan generals reportedly began guerrilla-style training in anticipation of a possible U.S. attack. Such training marks a significant acknowledgment of growing concerns regarding security in Caracas, as reported by Reuters.
In the midst of these developments, the Chinese government announced a “zero-tariff” trade agreement with Venezuela at the ongoing Shanghai World Expo, according to Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Kolomoto Godoy. This agreement targets approximately 400 tariff categories, eliminating duties on products exchanged between the two nations.
Though the final specifics of the implementation remain uncertain, the intent seems clear. The Chinese government is staking a strong claim in an economy that the U.S. is attempting to isolate.
“It looks like China wants to dominate the Venezuelan economy completely,” stated Gordon Zhang, an expert on Chinese global trade strategy. “This will hurt Venezuela’s local industry.” He further noted, “Venezuela mainly sells oil to China, and not much else. The country’s manufacturing sector won’t rebound anytime soon—it’s headed in the opposite direction.”
Venezuela’s Response to US Military Presence
Ominously, President Maduro’s newfound support for Beijing seems rooted in anxiety over Trump’s potential actions. According to Zhang, “Maduro likely feels cornered. There’s a U.S. aircraft carrier nearby and military deployable assets looming. He desperately needs allies.”
While the zero-tariff trade deal may offer some short-term alleviation, Chan cautioned it could deepen Venezuela’s dependency on China. “This doesn’t strengthen Venezuela; it just tightens China’s control over it,” he said.
US Military Buildup Near Venezuela
From China’s viewpoint, a tariff-free agreement could serve as a strategic foothold in the Western Hemisphere, especially as Washington ramps up sanctions.
The Council on Foreign Relations estimates that over two decades, China has lent about $60 billion to Venezuela, mostly reimbursed via oil shipments. This figure continues to be referenced by both Chinese and Venezuelan officials even as recently as 2025.
Medina highlighted that the recent agreements need to be perceived as part of a larger anti-Western coalition, suggesting that “Venezuela has transitioned into a launching pad for regimes openly antagonistic to the U.S. and its allies.”
He also pointed out that countries like Iran, Russia, and Cuba have established significant influences throughout Venezuela, using it as a base for various operations across Latin America.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that this regime has substituted lawful governance with criminality, as Medina elaborated. “Corruption is practically institutionalized at this point.”
The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela remains dire, with a large segment of the population displaced and food scarcity weaponized for social control. Despite numerous grave violations of international law, many UN member states still engage with Maduro’s regime, enabling their impunity and complicating the crisis further.
Currently, U.S. sanctions continue to restrict Venezuela’s oil exports. Yet, in March 2025, reports indicated that crude oil shipments to China faced temporary interruptions due to potential U.S. tariffs on countries acquiring Venezuelan oil. In contrast, Beijing dismissed these tariffs as “illegal” but has committed to persisting in cooperation, though specifics on enforcement are unclear.
Zhang emphasized that the fundamental reality persists: China cannot shield Caracas from U.S. military capabilities. “They may launch a propaganda campaign, but they lack the military reach to counteract U.S. intervention,” he said.
Medina concurred that the stakes transcend just economics, warning that this regime close to U.S. shores is a nexus for organized crime and human rights violations, advocating for a comprehensive Western response that includes sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and possible defense deployments if necessary.
