The capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has sent shockwaves around the world, placing new pressure on authoritarian regimes aligned with Beijing, analysts say.
In Iran, one of China’s long-standing partners, the moment is particularly fraught. The country is experiencing what activists describe as its most vulnerable period in decades. Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based monitoring group, reported on Jan. 11 that protests had occurred at more than 580 locations across all 31 Iranian provinces.
On Jan. 2, President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Truth Social to Tehran, saying the United States would respond forcefully if Iranian authorities “violently kill peaceful protestors.” The statement came a day before the operation to arrest Maduro….
Maduro’s Arrest Signals a Tougher US Playbook—and New Risks for China: Analysts
