China-Venezuela Relationship: An Exploration

In a display of international solidarity, demonstrators gathered in New Delhi on January 12, 2026, to protest against United States actions in Venezuela, unfurling the Venezuelan national flag alongside images of President Nicolas Maduro.

The demonstration, which took place in India’s capital, brought together activists and supporters concerned about U.S. policies toward the South American nation. Participants raised Venezuelan flags and displayed portraits of Maduro, who has led Venezuela since 2013 following the death of his predecessor, Hugo Chávez.

This protest comes amid ongoing tensions between Venezuela and the United States, which have characterized diplomatic relations between the two nations for more than two decades. While specific details about the most recent U.S. actions that triggered this particular protest were not immediately clear, the demonstration reflects the international dimensions of Venezuela’s political situation.

India, as an emerging global power with an independent foreign policy stance, has maintained diplomatic relations with Venezuela despite U.S. pressure. The South Asian nation has historically advocated for non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign countries and has been cautious about aligning with Western sanctions regimes.

Venezuela, which possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves, has faced severe economic challenges in recent years, including hyperinflation, food shortages, and a mass exodus of citizens seeking better conditions abroad. Critics of the Maduro administration attribute these problems to mismanagement and corruption, while supporters and the Venezuelan government frequently blame U.S. sanctions and what they term “economic warfare.”

The United States has implemented numerous sanctions against Venezuela since 2015, targeting government officials, restricting the country’s access to international financial markets, and limiting its petroleum exports. Washington has also supported opposition figures in Venezuela, most notably Juan Guaidó, whom the U.S. recognized as interim president in 2019, creating a situation of disputed leadership that has gradually evolved as opposition strategies have shifted.

For many leftist movements around the world, including groups in India, Venezuela represents a symbol of resistance against what they perceive as U.S. imperialism and intervention in Latin America. These international solidarity networks frequently organize demonstrations like the one in New Delhi to express support for the Venezuelan government.

The protest in India’s capital also highlights the global nature of geopolitical alignments in what many analysts describe as an increasingly multipolar world. As traditional power structures shift, countries like India navigate complex relationships with both Western powers and nations that stand in opposition to Western policies.

Energy security concerns may also factor into India’s approach to Venezuela. As one of the world’s largest oil importers, India has occasionally purchased Venezuelan crude despite U.S. pressure not to do so, prioritizing its energy needs over alignment with U.S. foreign policy objectives.

Local organizers of the New Delhi protest emphasized the importance of sovereign nations being able to determine their own political futures without external interference. They cited principles of international law and the United Nations Charter regarding non-intervention in the domestic affairs of member states.

The demonstration occurred against the backdrop of evolving Latin American politics, where several countries have experienced shifts between left-wing and right-wing governments in recent electoral cycles, creating a complex regional environment for Venezuela’s international relations.

As protests like this one in New Delhi demonstrate, Venezuela’s internal situation continues to resonate globally, serving as a flashpoint for broader debates about international relations, economic sovereignty, and the limits of great power influence in the 21st century.