U.S. military activity near Venezuela is sparking global concern, with a Chinese expert calling it a revival of a coercive 'new Monroe Doctrine.' Sun Yanfeng, a Latin American studies director, says Washington's actions aim to pressure Venezuela's government, deter regional independence, and distract from domestic tensions. 💥
What's Happening?
The U.S. recently labeled Venezuela's 'Cartel of the Suns' a terrorist group without evidence, while President Donald Trump declared Venezuelan airspace "closed"—a move even U.S. officials reportedly found surprising. 🚨 Venezuela has since heightened military alerts and bolstered defenses with Russian-made S-300 missiles.
Regional Backlash
Latin American nations are pushing back: Ecuador rejected a referendum to host U.S. bases, Colombia suspended security cooperation, and the Netherlands limited intelligence sharing. 🌍 Sun warns these tactics deepen divisions in a region already struggling with crime and inequality.
Venezuela's Resilience
Despite U.S. pressure, Venezuela is diversifying its economy beyond oil into agriculture and mining while upgrading defenses. Sun notes this reduces vulnerability compared to past crises. ⚙️
Why It Matters
Sun argues the U.S. risks destabilizing Latin America, forcing countries to "pretend compliance" while growing strategically distant. With global allies uneasy, Washington's approach could backfire—hard. 🔥
