Argentina’s Milei Supports US Military Intervention in Venezuela While Maintaining Commercial Ties with China

Javier Milei publicly backed the US military incursion in Venezuela, characterizing the removal of Nicolás Maduro and seizure of Venezuelan oil assets as necessary to “cut supply to the communists.” He dismissed criticism accusing the US of oil appropriation as “stupidity,” emphasizing that national wealth derives from respect for private property, life, and institutions rather than mere control of natural resources. Milei attributed the US intervention largely to allegations that the Venezuelan government exploited PDVSA’s logistics network for narcotrafficking activities. The operation achieved the detention of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, an outcome hailed by Argentina’s government but condemned by China.

The intervention also aligns with Milei’s broader geopolitical outlook, which endorses the dismantling of what he terms “killer socialism” in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Despite his clear political alignment with US policies, Milei stressed this does not translate to severing Argentina’s commercial engagement with China. He explicitly declared, “I will not break commercial ties with China,” clarifying that geopolitical alliances and economic relationships operate on separate planes. Argentina’s commercial partnerships with China remain vital, even while endorsing US strategic objectives in the region.

US former President Donald Trump publicly corroborated the oil-related dimension of the intervention, announcing the transfer of 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned Venezuelan crude to the United States. The operation and Milei’s position highlight tensions between Washington and Beijing, as control over energy resources and regional influence intensify. This dual approach signals Argentina’s attempt to balance economic pragmatism with geopolitical recalibration amidst shifting Latin American power dynamics.