A US military helicopter flies over the Panama-flagged Centuries, which was intercepted by the US Coast Guard, days after US President Donald Trump announced a "blockade" of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, east of Barbados in the Caribbean Sea, Dec 20, 2025. [Photo/Agencies]
Editor's note: US strikes on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolas Maduro has been condemned globally as a serious violation of international law and national sovereignty. Two Chinese experts share their views with China Daily's Wang Qingyun and Li Huixian. Excerpts follow:
US strikes blatant hegemonic invasion
After a swift military strike against Venezuela on Saturday, the US administration announced that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were "captured and flown out of the country". Subsequently, the US administration said it would "run" Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition". The lightning speed at which it all happened sent shock waves across the globe.
The official explanation the US has offered for its military action was "combating drug trafficking" and "protecting regional security". However, clearly there are far-reaching intentions behind the operation.
In the United States' recently issued National Security Strategy, the US administration focused on putting the Western Hemisphere first, and proposed the so-called "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine". It declared that the US would restore "American preeminence" in the Western Hemisphere to prevent "foreign hostile forces" from gaining a foothold in key regional assets and influence. The strategy includes a stronger military presence, stricter border and drug controls, more active political influence mechanisms and the use of force when necessary.
The US military strike on Venezuela is a concentrated embodiment of the "corollary-style Monroe Doctrine" in practice. First, through military intervention, the US administration is moving away from a pattern which involved only imposing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Saturday's strike is a case of direct military intervention, demonstrating US military presence in the Western Hemisphere at the strategic level.
Second, the strike was undoubtedly aimed at reshaping the regional power structure and balance of influence. Even in the National Security Strategy, the US clearly prioritizes curbing the influence by "competitors" as a key focus of its Western Hemisphere policy.
In this context, Venezuela carries symbolic significance, being an important partner of China in energy and infrastructure cooperation and a crucial node for Chinese investment and the Belt and Road Initiative's extension into Latin America. The US, through military intervention, disrupted the political stability of this key node.
The core logic is to strengthen the US' discourse power as the dominant force in the Western Hemisphere through violent deterrence and political intervention.
Of course, this strategy will come with significant backlash. Latin American countries have long sought strategic autonomy and diverse cooperation options. The US' excessive militarized intervention could prompt these countries to reassess their foreign strategies, even to deepen their resistance to external intervention, thereby fostering closer South-South cooperation. Thus, the use of hard power does not necessarily lead to the expected strategic compliance but may instead exacerbate tensions and security predicament in the region.
In summary, this event is both a strong signal of the US' strategic intentions and a high-risk gamble in the US' adjustment of its global strategy. It represents a clear and thorough rejection of international cooperation and multilateral rules, and declares the US' determination to impose its "hard power" on the international order, use military force to redefine its geopolitical influence boundaries and return to "backyard hegemony".
Zhao Pu is an assistant researcher at the Institute of American Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
US 'neocolonialism' cannot conquer justice
US troops invaded Venezuela on Jan 3, illegally capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and taking them out of the country. The US claimed it would prosecute them on US soil for facilitating drug trafficking, an act that not only severely undermines international law and tramples on international norms but also has profound implications for regional stability. At its core, the US aims to plunder Venezuela's abundant oil and gas reserves and reassert comprehensive control over the Western Hemisphere, essentially reenacting "neocolonialism" in the Americas.
Following the commencement of Trump's second term, the United States has significantly intensified its intervention and assertion of interests in the Western Hemisphere, introducing the "Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine", which vividly showcases the essence of hegemonism. The current Venezuelan government is seen as a cornerstone of the anti-American bloc, and for over two decades, the US has unsuccessfully attempted to achieve regime change in the country through various means.
During Trump's first term, the US supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó against the Maduro government, but the efforts failed. On resuming the presidency, Trump, confronted with global turmoil, urgently needs to establish US authority, gain tangible benefits and political capital, and fulfill the "America First" campaign promise, with Latin America being the easiest target for such endeavors.
By acting against Venezuela the US achieves a "triple win". First, Venezuela has abundant oil and gas reserves, from which the US can seize a large amount to gain substantial profits.
Second, overthrowing President Maduro serves as a deterrent to other Latin American countries that are not aligned with the US, warning them against opposing the US. Especially as an increasing number of Latin American countries attempt to pursue independent paths and explore mutually beneficial cooperation with major countries outside the region, the US aims to force Latin American countries to choose sides.
Third, it influences the regional political landscape by building a pro-American bloc. Latin American countries have entered a new era, with right-wing presidential candidates winning elections in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Honduras in 2025; these newly elected leaders generally express a desire to strengthen cooperation with the US. As Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Costa Rica are set to hold elections in 2026, it is no surprise that the US seeks to expand its influence in the region to secure greater benefits.
However, such calculated maneuvers may backfire. Chilean President Gabriel Boric has condemned the US military operation in Venezuela and warned that "tomorrow it could be any other country".
More Latin American people are opposing the resurgence of the "Monroe Doctrine" and striving for an independent path. While might may overthrow a regime, it can never conquer the pursuit of justice.
“年轻人报复性挤爆3.5分餐厅” 砸了谁的锅 不能仅靠年轻人“挤爆3.5分餐厅”的一身反骨，而要靠净化网络平台信用环境、提升完善评价体系 有一句流行语“股票反着买，别墅靠着海”，意思是要拒绝从众心理，反向操 这次参与到日喀则市边境县中学生赴北京参观研学活动的22个同学分别来自亚东、定日、仲巴三个县，他们的祖辈或是世代守边固边，或是举家搬离故乡抵边兴边。 2月21日，到了研学活动的第二天。经过近 拼版照片：上图为20世纪80年代的厦门筼筜湖（资料照片）；下图为2024年1月24日拍摄的厦门筼筜湖及周边城市景观（新华社记者姜克红摄，无人机照片）。新华社记者付敏城在海上，海在城中。筼筜湖，犹如镶嵌在厦门岛中央 娃哈哈董事长宗庆后转入ICU救治 公司昨晚声明：目前情况稳定每经记者 黄鑫磊 叶晓丹 2月22日，杭州阴雨，气温骤降。 当日下午，有消息称杭州娃哈哈集团有限公司(以下简称娃哈哈)董事长宗庆后近日因身体不适入院治 “新年刚过，我已经买好了十一旅游的机票” 中新网北京2月23日电(张钰惠)在年初就买好全年的旅行机票，是一种怎样的体验？近日，三亚、哈尔滨等网红城市的天价返程机票引发关注。为了最大程度上避开高价机票，压缩旅 独家 | 库迪咖啡回应闭店：自开业以来总共闭店解约门店数为61家 2月22日每经快讯，自去年末起，不断有库迪联营商在小红书等社交媒体上发帖称库迪出现供应链问题、品牌现金流疑似出现危机，称有很多库迪联营商正在撤离 。本文链接：US actions signal a return to imperialism, colonialismhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-84987-0.html
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