US ousts Maduro, blacks out Caracas

The United States removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a nighttime operation. US Cyber Command allegedly knocked power generation offline in the capital of Caracas to give troops favorable conditions to infiltrate Maduro's compound.

Maduro built vast surveillance network

Since coming to power in two thousand thirteen, Maduro had built a huge surveillance network to monitor and quell opposition. Much of the technology came from China, with plans to integrate banned Chinese AI systems into the network.

Rodríguez becomes president, keeps plans

Before Maduro's ousting, Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez sought to sign an agreement to adopt Chinese-built AI systems to enhance state-sponsored surveillance. She was installed as Venezuelan President two days after Maduro's removal.

“an agreement to adopt Chinese-built AI systems … to use Chinese AI to enhance existing state-sponsored surveillance.”

No policy shift from new president

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute warns that since Rodríguez took office, there has been nothing to signal a change in direction from her plans. The US could be heading a nation filled with Chinese AI-assisted surveillance technology.

Venezuela becomes advanced AI adopter

The ASPI report states Venezuela will become one of the first countries outside China to import China's new generation of LLM-based AI systems for surveillance and control, and the most advanced adopter in the Western Hemisphere.

“Venezuela will become one of the first countries outside China to import China's new generation of LLM-based AI systems for surveillance and control, and the most advanced adopter in the Western Hemisphere.”

AI would strengthen repression of dissent

After the two thousand twenty-four Venezuelan presidential elections, protesters and dissidents were identified online and monitored using video and drone surveillance. Numerous protest leaders disappeared, likely captured by authorities. Chinese AI tools could strengthen this apparatus used to manage dissent and restrict information.

“Chinese or other AI tools could strengthen a domestically directed apparatus already used to manage dissent, restrict information and preserve political power.”

iFlytek banned in US, active in Venezuela

One company looking to provide technology for Venezuela's surveillance network is iFlytek. The US held iFlytek as a responsible party during China's detention of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and banned the sale of the company's products in the US in two thousand nineteen.

ASPI calls for network dismantling

The ASPI report calls on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to dismantle Venezuela's surveillance network and prevent Chinese AI imports. Dismantling the infrastructure would align efforts to combat Chinese surveillance tech and position the US as a liberator rather than a new face of an old regime.