Global Implications of US Intervention in Venezuela
GIGA Roundtable
Global Implications of US Intervention in Venezuela
Date
15/01/2026
Start
12:00 noon (CET)
End
01:30 p.m. (CET)
The consequences of the US administration’s military intervention in Venezuela to capture former president Nicolás Maduro, and Trump’s pledge to “run” the country indefinitely via interim president Delcy Rodríguez while the US secures the country’s oil resources, are reverberating regionally and globally. This roundtable brought together GIGA experts on Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to discuss these events, their drivers, as well as their worldwide implications.
A quick look back:
Video + Poster Global Implications of US Intervention in Venezuela"
Commentators:
Jesús Renzullo is a Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Latin America Studies.
Die USA haben vor der Küste Venezuelas einen Tanker gestürmt und beschlagnahmt. Das Schiff sei in ein „illegales Netzwerk“ zum Transport von sanktioniertem Öl verwickelt, so die US-Regierung.
Nicht erst mit der Blockade von Öltankern aus Venezuela bricht Washington das Völkerrecht. Trump agiert ohne erkennbare Strategie. Eine Demokratisierung in Caracas ist dadurch unwahrscheinlich.
The GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies conducts research on political and economic developments in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Core topics include the quality of political institutions and participation, challenges posed by conflicts and crime, and regional integration.
China and Venezuela’s long-standing alliance faces its toughest test yet after Maduro’s arrest. From oil-for-loans deals to digital surveillance and military cooperation, Beijing now risks losing influence as Washington moves to assert dominance over Caracas.
On the situation in Venezuela: Our experts shed light on the background and analyse current developments, international reactions, and consequences for the region.
Trump’s ultra-aggressive claim to South America as the United States’ exclusive zone of influence changes the region’s political coordinates. The GIGA analyses the ongoing stand-off in Venezuela, the role of China, Latin America’s upcoming elections, and other key events and trends to watch in 2026.
Nach der US-Intervention in Venezuela wollen die EU und die Bundesregierung laut dem Politikwissenschaftler Detlef Nolte Streit mit Washington vermeiden. Sichtbar werde eine gewisse Machtlosigkeit Europas.
The US military buildup along Venezuela’s coast has raised expectations that Maduro’s regime will collapse under pressure. However, this would probably not result in a democratic transition. Even if Maduro is forced to step down, a change of guard within the regime remains the more likely scenario.
Die USA haben vor der Küste Venezuelas einen Tanker gestürmt und beschlagnahmt. Das Schiff sei in ein „illegales Netzwerk“ zum Transport von sanktioniertem Öl verwickelt, so die US-Regierung.
Nicht erst mit der Blockade von Öltankern aus Venezuela bricht Washington das Völkerrecht. Trump agiert ohne erkennbare Strategie. Eine Demokratisierung in Caracas ist dadurch unwahrscheinlich.
The GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies conducts research on political and economic developments in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Core topics include the quality of political institutions and participation, challenges posed by conflicts and crime, and regional integration.
China and Venezuela’s long-standing alliance faces its toughest test yet after Maduro’s arrest. From oil-for-loans deals to digital surveillance and military cooperation, Beijing now risks losing influence as Washington moves to assert dominance over Caracas.
On the situation in Venezuela: Our experts shed light on the background and analyse current developments, international reactions, and consequences for the region.
Trump’s ultra-aggressive claim to South America as the United States’ exclusive zone of influence changes the region’s political coordinates. The GIGA analyses the ongoing stand-off in Venezuela, the role of China, Latin America’s upcoming elections, and other key events and trends to watch in 2026.
Nach der US-Intervention in Venezuela wollen die EU und die Bundesregierung laut dem Politikwissenschaftler Detlef Nolte Streit mit Washington vermeiden. Sichtbar werde eine gewisse Machtlosigkeit Europas.
The US military buildup along Venezuela’s coast has raised expectations that Maduro’s regime will collapse under pressure. However, this would probably not result in a democratic transition. Even if Maduro is forced to step down, a change of guard within the regime remains the more likely scenario.
Die USA haben vor der Küste Venezuelas einen Tanker gestürmt und beschlagnahmt. Das Schiff sei in ein „illegales Netzwerk“ zum Transport von sanktioniertem Öl verwickelt, so die US-Regierung.
Nicht erst mit der Blockade von Öltankern aus Venezuela bricht Washington das Völkerrecht. Trump agiert ohne erkennbare Strategie. Eine Demokratisierung in Caracas ist dadurch unwahrscheinlich.
The GIGA Institute for Latin American Studies conducts research on political and economic developments in South and Central America and the Caribbean. Core topics include the quality of political institutions and participation, challenges posed by conflicts and crime, and regional integration.
