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High-ranking officials in Taiwan believe that the recent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, ordered by Donald Trump, represents a strong deterrent against Chinese aggression and serves as a reminder of the U.S. military's ability to defeat armies equipped with Chinese-made weaponry.
According to experts and voices in Taiwan, the operation in Venezuela —which included bombings, a swift military action, and the capture of the Chavista leader— has created the perception that the United States is willing to use its armed force decisively, even outside of its traditional sphere of hemispheric influence.
Analysts cited by international media indicate that the Chinese defense systems used by Maduro's regime failed against the U.S. offensive, highlighting technological weaknesses of Beijing. Additionally, they note that the military strike compromised Chinese oil supply routes in the Caribbean and called into question China's ability to support its allies in Latin America.
From Taipei, some authorities interpret this event as a direct message to Beijing, suggesting that Washington possesses the capability to surpass Chinese military equipment and strategies, an idea that could lead Communist Party strategists to contemplate the consequences of a potential aggression against the island.
Although the Taiwanese government has not issued extensive official statements regarding the case of Venezuela, local analysts interpret that Trump's operation could strengthen the perception of U.S. deterrence against China, at a time of increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region.
The comparison between the surprising U.S. military action against Maduro and a hypothetical response from Beijing regarding Taiwan has circulated in security media and debates, although several observers warn that the situations are very different in terms of geography, military capabilities, and domestic politics.
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