Tensions between the United States and China are escalating, as Beijing sent a clear, albeit indirect, message of dissatisfaction regarding the military and energy policy of the Trump administration in the Caribbean.
Chinese state media broadcast for the first time footage of military simulations by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) involving a hypothetical conflict scenario in the wider Caribbean region, a development interpreted as a response to the increased American presence near Venezuela and Cuba.
According to the South China Morning Post, the state network CCTV presented drills in which “red” (Chinese) and “blue” (hostile) forces moved with aircraft and warships near Cuba and Mexico.
The footage showed the “blue” force initially concentrating near Houston, before entering the Gulf of Mexico, while Chinese units appeared to be operating in the Caribbean.
What the simulation showed
In the simulation, the red side represented, as is customary in PLA exercises, the Chinese forces, and the blue the opposing side.
Focused footage on Cuba showed trajectories of ships and aircraft, most likely as part of a tactical exercise.
Researchers and officers commented live on the movements on the large screen.
The exercise took place in Xuchang of Henan province, with the participation of 20 military units and academies, while dozens of Chinese made simulation systems were presented.
The public broadcast of war games by Chinese television is considered extremely unusual and constitutes a clear message to Washington.
The move is interpreted as a reaction to the growing US military control in the Caribbean, within the framework of pressure policy against Venezuela and, indirectly, Cuba.
The American presence in the region has already affected oil flows from Venezuela to Asia, mainly to China, which in recent years absorbs more than half of Caracas’ seaborne oil exports through a network of “dark fleet” tankers.
At the same time, Beijing publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the seizures of tankers by American forces, with Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian denouncing the pressure policy of the Trump administration.
The message
Analysts estimate that the PLA’s decision to publicize such material constitutes a form of “external signaling” toward Washington.
The Trump administration seeks to secure control of the Caribbean and to preempt potential Chinese naval activity in the region, within the framework of a new Western defense strategy that, according to assessments, will shape the balance of power through the 2030s.
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