The seizing of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro removes one of China’s staunchest partners in Latin America, raising questions over its political and economic influence in the region.

The United States intends to dominate Latin America. That is clear following the weekend’s operation to remove Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power. But the U.S. has competition. China is expanding its influence in the region, offering itself as an alternative to governments leery of American power.

Experts say Beijing may see the U.S.' seizing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro not as a license to move on Taiwan as much as a chance to undermine U.S. global leadership.

Beijing is doubling down on its expansion just as President Trump tries to claim the Western Hemisphere as an exclusive sphere of influence for the U.S.

In November, China took a leading role at the thirtieth United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, as it sought to deepen diplomatic ties with countries in the region. At the same

America’s story begins with people fleeing religious persecution. Its founders understood that without freedom of belief all other freedoms are hollow. That’s why, 250 years ago, they enshrined freedom of religion, and the separation of church and state, in the Constitution. It remains a foundation on which all our liberties rest.

The first came during President Richard Nixon’s visit to China in 1972, when the United States abandoned its policy of containment and instead sought rapprochement with Beijing. This was an effort to work together against the threat of Soviet expansion,

America’s arms race over artificial intelligence with China is about more than technology and gaining economic advantage, say Wyoming lawmakers and

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and Colombian President Gustavo Petro attend a group photo session before the opening ceremony for the China-CELAC Forum ministerial meeting.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said in an interview with the state-run TASS news agency on Sunday that the US no longer has the “formal right” to criticize Russia.