Why Trump’s Venezuela raid may not stop China’s influence in South America

By Jennifer Jett – NBC News

With the surprise capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump declared U.S. authority over the entire Western Hemisphere — and warned China that it’s not welcome in America’s backyard.

Trump administration officials have cited the need to counter China’s growing influence in the region as a justification for the attack on Venezuela, which counts the country as its biggest customer for oil.