The U.S. strike in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro are increasingly seen by analysts as part of a broader global power contest rather than a standalone regional action.

Axar.az, citing JP, reports that experts argue the move sends a strategic warning to China and Iran by targeting key pillars of their energy security and challenging efforts to bypass the U.S. dollar in oil trade.

Venezuela’s oil exports to China, settled in yuan, are viewed as a direct threat to the petrodollar system and U.S. financial dominance.

Pressure in Latin America, the Middle East, and East Asia is described as interconnected, with Washington applying limited, high-impact actions to shape rival behavior without full-scale war.

Iran’s potential regime change is framed as an even bigger strategic blow to China and Russia, while Taiwan remains Beijing’s core red line due to its semiconductor industry and sovereignty claims.

Analysts warn that while these moves are meant as signals, miscalculation could trigger wider and unpredictable escalation across multiple regions.