Venezuela operation raises strategic concerns for Taiwan’s defense

The capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has prompted debate in Washington over whether it sets a precedent for China to seize Taiwan, Time reports. The article argues the comparison is misplaced: Beijing’s restraint toward Taiwan has been driven by military readiness, economic consequences, uncertainty about U.S.

intervention, and the operational complexity of conquering a well-armed island, not deference to international norms. It notes Beijing views Taiwan as an "internal affair," and says Venezuela—an unambiguously foreign country—does not offer a parallel. The piece also highlights that Maduro’s close ties with China and Russia, including Beijing’s buying of Venezuelan oil—"about 80% of exports"—and a Chinese envoy meeting Maduro hours before his seizure, did not prevent his capture.

Beyond precedent, the article warns Venezuela exposed the limits of patrons: Trump has signaled American commitments can be transactional, urging Taiwan to "pay for protection" and suggesting defense spending could rise "to as much as 10% of GDP." It quotes Trump as saying he will "run" Venezuela until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition"—timeline unspecified—and that he is "not afraid of boots on the ground." A prolonged U.S.

Key Topics

World, Taiwan, Venezuela, China, Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump