Recently, the Caribbean region has once again captured global attention as tensions between the United States and Venezuela escalate to the brink of conflict.
On the U.S. side, troop movements continue as nearly 10 warships have already arrived in the Caribbean. On September 5, the U.S. deployed 10 more F-35 fighter jets to a nearby military base, along with 1,200 missiles. This creates a formidable sea and air encirclement around Venezuela, in an apparent attempt to intimidate the country.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Venezuela has not backed down. On September 6, two Venezuelan F-16 fighter jets, armed with live ammunition, flew low over a U.S. destroyer, sending a clear warning.
Meanwhile, Venezuela has begun mobilizing a large number of militias. According to President Maduro, over 8 million people have volunteered to join the militia in a show of determination to defend their homeland. The Venezuelan military also revealed its strategic card from the East – the C-802 anti-ship missile.
The C-802 is a medium- to long-range, all-weather, multi-purpose anti-ship missile system developed by China. It features a semi-armor-piercing, blast-fragmentation warhead and a delayed fuse, allowing it to penetrate reinforced steel plates. One missile is capable of disabling a 3,000-ton-class frigate, and it can heavily damage a 5,000-ton destroyer.
With a maximum range of 180 kilometers and near-supersonic speeds, the C-802 can fly at an ultra-low altitude of 5-7 meters, making it effective at evading enemy radar detection and missile interception. These anti-ship missiles have already been deployed on Venezuela’s nearby coastline, which is why President Maduro remains confident even as U.S. destroyers approach Venezuela.
At the heart of this conflict lies U.S. hegemonism, disguised under the guise of “fighting drug cartels,” with the real target being the Maduro government. The U.S. has even placed a $5 million bounty on Maduro’s head, blatantly interfering with Venezuela’s sovereignty.
China has made it clear that it hopes the U.S. will focus more on actions that contribute to peace and security in Latin America, implying a call for less interference. The presence of Chinese weaponry has undoubtedly strengthened Venezuela’s position in the Caribbean and enhanced its military capabilities.
