WASHINGTON (Jan 11): Among the many goals of last week's U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was to send China a message: stay away from the Americas. "Beijing can protest diplomatically, but it cannot protect partners or assets once Washington decides to apply direct pressure," he said. The Venezuela operation appeared to tilt U.S. policy in a more hawkish direction. "They are also noticing how China's diplomatic assurances to Iran and Venezuela resulted in zero meaningful protection when the U.S. military arrived." “Beijing wants Washington to accept that Asia is in China’s sphere, and no doubt hopes that the U.S. will get bogged down in Venezuela,” he said.

Source: The Edge Markets January 11, 2026 16:19 UTC