Hare Critiques China’s Stance on Venezuelan Election
Paul Hare, Master Lecturer in International Relations at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and Interim Director of the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), a former British diplomat with 30 years of experience, including a stint as the British ambassador to Cuba from 2001 to 2004, has offered sharp criticism of China’s quick endorsement of the recent controversial Venezuelan election.
In a recent analysis, Hare, highlighted the discrepancy between China’s ambitions in Latin America and its unquestioning support for the Maduro government in Venezuela.
“China’s reaction has been rejected by all Latin American countries except Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Cuba,”
Hare noted. He pointed out that China’s stance puts it at odds not only with major Latin American economies but also with its BRICS partners and Belt and Road Initiative allies in the region.
Hare questioned China’s motivations, suggesting that Beijing’s support for the Maduro regime might be linked to its substantial loan portfolio in Venezuela. However, he argued that this approach could be shortsighted, potentially undermining China’s broader influence in Latin America.
Drawing from his diplomatic experience in Venezuela during the 1990s, Hare provided context for the region’s reaction to election fraud. “Latin American leaders and electorates do not like rigged election results because when governments lose accountability, bad things happen,” he explained.
The former ambassador urged China to reconsider its diplomatic approach in Latin America. “If China wants to build its influence in Latin America and try to create a truly ‘Asian century’ throughout the world, it needs to show more diplomatic aplomb,” Hare advised.
He concluded by emphasizing that China’s attraction as a diplomatic partner is largely due to its economic success, questioning the wisdom of aligning with economically struggling regimes like Venezuela and Cuba.
The full article can be accessed here.
Ambassador Paul Hare was a British diplomat for 30 years and the British ambassador to Cuba from 2001-04. He now teaches classes at Boston University on Diplomatic Practice, Arms Control, Intercultural Communication, and on Cuba in Transition. His novel, “Moncada — A Cuban Story,” set in modern Cuba, was published in 2010. His book, “Making Diplomacy Work; Intelligent Innovation for the Modern World” was published in 2015. Learn more about him here.