China's $10 Billion Venezuela Bet in Doubt After U.S. Move

The U.S. seizure of Venezuela and its former leader has thrown billions in Chinese loans into question, analysts report. Beijing is owed an estimated $10 billion from Caracas. The debts are tied to "oil-for-loan" deals. For years, China lent Venezuela money in exchange for future oil shipments. With the arrest of ex-President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, the fate of these agreements is now uncertain. Analysts suggest Venezuela's crude oil will likely keep flowing to China. The country's new administration needs immediate cash. However, the terms for repaying the massive debt to Beijing are unclear. The research lab AidData estimates China's total exposure at roughly $10 billion. The situation leaves a major Chinese economic project in South America in limbo.