Venezuela is one of China’s closest political and economic partners in Latin America. Relations were consolidated with the rise to power of Hugo Chávez in 1999, based on massive Chinese loans to finance infrastructure and oil exports. From 2013, Maduro represented a deepening of the relationship.

China criticized the Trump administration’s reported call for Venezuela to sever its alliances with US rivals, labeling the move a “bullying act” as their competition for influence in the region emerges as a new source of friction.

Not only did America capture one of China’s closest South American allies, it also exposed the limits of Chinese power. Some have asked whether America’s actions in Caracas could pave the way for something similar in Taipei.

Venezuela's rare earth reserves could help reduce U.S. reliance on China by providing key elements of everyday and military technology, one expert says.

The US’ Venezuela intervention, as well as its recent military strikes in Africa and the Middle East, decreases its bandwidth for Asia, says an expert.

In the immediate aftermath of the US' intervention in Venezuela, some analysts were quick to opine that the attack will embolden China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea.

US President Donald Trump says interim authorities in Venezuela agree to transfer up to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to US - Anadolu Ajansı

In this week’s episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US special operations forces, and details China’s response to the operation including the impact this will have on China-Venezuela oil deals.