EAI brief: China-Venezuela bilateral ties, $10bn in Chinese loans still outstanding

BOGOTÁ, COLOMBIA (By Ana Sanches, Energy Analytics Institute, 20.Jan.2026, Words: 315) — China and Venezuela have developed a deep bilateral trade relationship, which florist during the years of the presidency of late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez Frías from 1999-2013. 

This Chinese-Venezuelan relationship continued under Nicolàs Maduro Moros — who took over the helm of the Caribbean country in 2013 after Chávez’ death, and ruled until his capture by US military forces on 3 Jan. 2026.