00:00Venezuela, a country with the world's largest proven oil reserves, yet an economy in crisis
00:26and a political system under intense pressure.
00:31As the United States escalates sanctions and naval pressure in the Caribbean, another
00:36question comes sharply into focus.
00:40What exactly do China and Russia want in Venezuela?
00:46Let's break it down.
00:50China's involvement in Venezuela is strategic and deeply financial.
00:59Over the past years, Venezuelan oil has become an increasingly important import for China.
01:06Recent estimates suggest more than 600,000 barrels a day could be heading to China, a major
01:12share of Venezuela's output.
01:18For Beijing, this isn't just about today's fuel needs.
01:22It's about energy security, independence, and leverage in a world where oil supply equals
01:28power.
01:30And China has invested heavily to secure that leverage.
01:35Venezuela owes China an estimated $60 to $70 billion.
01:40Those loans are often repaid not in cash, but in oil.
01:47China also sells weapons, telecommunications equipment and surveillance technology to Venezuela.
01:53Much of the country's critical infrastructure now relies on Chinese systems, deepening the
01:58relationship.
02:00Politically, there's alignment too.
02:02Beijing and Caracas both promote state-controlled economic models and share a resistance to U.S.
02:08influence.
02:10So when the U.S. targets Venezuelan oil tankers, China publicly criticizes Washington, positioning
02:17itself as an ally, while also making sure America stays distracted close to home.
02:24For China, Venezuela is about resources, reach, and reinforcing its global presence.
02:34Russia's interests Russia's story in Venezuela goes back decades.
02:40Moscow became one of Venezuela's biggest arms suppliers under Hugo Chavez.
02:45And when Nicolás Maduro took power, the relationship continued.
02:49The turning point came in 2019.
02:52When opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, the United States backed
02:58him almost immediately.
03:02Russia stepped in.
03:04It sent military aircraft, personnel, and equipment, a powerful signal that the Kremlin still had
03:10influence in the Americas.
03:13Analysts say that Russia's support helped Maduro survive one of the greatest threats to
03:17his rule.
03:21So why does Russia care?
03:23Because challenging U.S. dominance in Latin America carries symbolic and strategic weight.
03:29It gives Moscow partners, presence, and geopolitical bargaining power.
03:34And when crises flare, Russia gains leverage in global negotiations.
03:39Today, Russia's backing is more verbal than military, but the relationship remains strong
03:45and meaningful.
03:48Where does this leave the United States?
03:51Washington has long viewed Venezuela through the lens of oil, security, and democracy.
03:57Sanctions have tightened, diplomacy has grown, and recent rhetoric has turned even sharper,
04:03with calls for Venezuela to return oil assets nationalized in the 2000s.
04:08At the same time, neighboring Guyana, also oil rich, is rising in importance, increasing the
04:15stakes in the region.
04:18So now, three global powers are entangled in one fragile nation.
04:24The United States, China, and Russia.
04:28Each with oil interests, political goals, and strategic motives.
04:33And Venezuela, facing economic collapse and political tension, sits at the center of it
04:39all.
04:43The key question going forward is not just who supports whom, but how far each country is
04:49willing to go, and what that means for the Venezuelan people caught in the middle.
04:55This isn't only a story about oil, it's a story about power, alliances, and global influence
05:01playing out thousands of miles from Washington, Moscow, and Beijing, but affecting them all.
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