Abstract
In light of the Biden Administration’s 2023 decision to lift sanctions on Venezuela, and Venezuela’s failure to comply with the US conditions for relief, this paper analyzes China-Venezuela relations and how US policy toward Venezuela affects both Venezuela and China. Venezuela has been China’s strongest ally in the Americas since 2000. This alliance led to Chinese loans of over $40 billion, a majority of China’s investment in the continent. When Venezuela’s economy collapsed, China was left with the decision to cut ties, but chose to defend its Latin partner as the west criticized the Maduro regime. Recently, Venezuela has failed to meet US conditions for sanctions relief, prompting debate over the appropriate US response. At the same time, Venezuela has threatened military conflict with its neighbor Guyana. Based on a policy analysis that considers effects on both Venezuela and China, this paper recommends the following policy actions: a partial reimplementation of sanctions until Venezuela complies with all conditions, additional conditions for sanctions relief that provides oversight of both the Venezuelan Election Commission and the Venezuelan media, continued humanitarian aid, and movement of military forces to the region to deter a military conflict.
Recommended Citation
Jackson, Noah
(2024)
"China-Venezuela Relations in the 21st Century and a Proposed U.S. Policy Response,"
Pepperdine Policy Review: Vol. 16, Article 7.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/ppr/vol16/iss1/7
