TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US’ move to block Venezuelan tankers escalates pressure on Caracas but risks weakening Washington’s ability to deter Chinese naval action against Taiwan, Reuters reported Friday.
The blockade, announced Tuesday, targets sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, aiming to choke the country’s oil revenue. Legal experts immediately questioned whether the move might be considered an act of war under international law.
China has long signaled that a de facto naval blockade could be central to coercing Taiwan. Analysts say Washington’s action in Venezuela could give China a propaganda opening to justify similar measures in the Taiwan Strait.
“If the US blockades to change political outcomes in Venezuela, China can justify coercive measures against Taiwan on so-called security grounds,” said Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
“The legal contexts differ, but the propaganda opening is real,” he said, adding that international precedent is shaped not just by law but by narrative.
US naval operations against Venezuelan vessels have increased, including strikes on drug-trafficking boats. Meanwhile, China, the top buyer of Venezuelan crude, has expressed support for Caracas, denouncing the blockade as “unilateralism and bullying.”
Experts said the US focus on Venezuela could also strain military readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Prolonged deployment of assets in the Caribbean may limit the US’ ability to respond quickly to crises in the Taiwan Strait, while Beijing continues to practice blockade-style drills around Taiwan, they explained.
Cleveland State University maritime law specialist Milena Sterio commented that wartime blockades are strictly regulated. A full US blockade of Venezuela could be deemed illegal without evidence of armed conflict, undermining US credibility if it later criticizes China for similar actions.
Other analysts believe US allies will view the Venezuela episode as rhetorical rather than decisive in shaping their Taiwan strategy.
