Did Competitive Geopolitical Factors Influence US Venezuela Move?

Summary

Rebecca Bill Chavez of Inter-American Dialogue discusses the geopolitical factors behind the US move in Venezuela, including great-power competition with China and Russia, oil interests, and Maduro's removal. She warns that Delcy Rodriguez remains influential and that the US may be trying to rule Venezuela from afar. She highlights dire security risks for any US oil company operations and divided regional reactions. She says US policy in the hemisphere has shifted toward military power projection and bilateral engagement.

• Guest says China has long had a prominent but economically poor bet in Venezuela.
• She identifies great-power competition and oil as likely factors behind US action.
• Maduro is out, but Delcy Rodriguez remains influential with ties to China and Russia.
• Venezuela's security situation is dire, with militias, ELN/FARC dissidents, and criminal groups near possible US oil operations.
• Latin American responses are split, with Ecuador, El Salvador, and Argentina welcoming the action while Brazil and Mexico condemn it.
• The US approach in the hemisphere is described as more military-focused and more bilateral than multilateral.