Taipei: The United States' latest military action in Venezuela is unlikely to alter China's long-term strategy toward Taiwan, despite concerns that President Donald Trump's decision could set a precedent Beijing might cite in the future, U.S. scholars told CNA on Saturday. Earlier that day, the U.S. launched a series of airstrikes in Venezuela and detained President Nicol¡s Maduro, who was later flown to New York along with his wife. The pair face federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged cooperation with gangs designated as terrorist organizations. Maduro has denied the allegations. The operation's legality has been questioned, with critics arguing it violated the United Nations Charter and Venezuela's sovereignty.

According to Focus Taiwan, Republican Congressman Don Bacon, while praising Trump's decision as "great for the future of Venezuelans and the region," warned it could have broader implications. "My main concern is now Russia will use this to justify their illegal and barbaric military actions against Ukraine, or China to justify an invasion of Taiwan," Bacon wrote in a post on X.

Richard Bush, former chairman of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), stated that the circumstances between Venezuela and Taiwan are fundamentally different. He noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping has incentives to pursue a long-term approach, emphasizing that Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party's control of the presidency after 2028 "is not guaranteed." Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the U.S.-based German Marshall Fund, also suggested that China was unlikely to change its Taiwan policy in response to events in Venezuela, asserting, "The Chinese are playing the long game, and they continue to believe that international trends favor China's goals of national reunification and national rejuvenation."

Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution in Washington, also cautioned against drawing parallels between the situations. "I don't expect today's events in Venezuela will dramatically alter Beijing's calculus on Taiwan," he said in a post on X. Hass added that Beijing would likely focus on protecting its interests, condemning U.S. actions, and sharpening contrasts with Washington in the international system, rather than drawing inspiration from events in Venezuela to alter its Taiwan policy.

In Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) mentioned it was closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, including the country's role in international drug trafficking and the humanitarian crisis under its authoritarian government. The ministry emphasized that Venezuela's situation has long affected regional stability and that Taiwan will continue monitoring developments to safeguard Taiwanese citizens there. MOFA also expressed hope that Venezuela could "smoothly and peacefully transition to democracy," adding that Taiwan would continue working with the United States and other democratic partners to promote regional and global security and stability.