ASPI report warns Venezuela may adopt Chinese AI surveillance

The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) released a report in September 2026 warning that Venezuela is close to adopting Chinese artificial‑intelligence technology for large‑scale surveillance and political control. The analysis notes that in July 2025 the Venezuelan government signed a memorandum of understanding with iFlytek, a Chinese firm that is on the U.S. trade sanctions list for its role in repressing Muslim minorities in Xinjiang.

The agreement to jointly develop AI capabilities in Venezuela was negotiated by Delcy Rodríguez, who was vice president at the time and now serves as the country’s interim president. The report cites the involvement of former president Nicolás Maduro and the presence of the Chinese ambassador, Lan Hu, in related diplomatic activities.

ASPI’s Cybersecurity, Technology, and Security Program authors – Fergus Ryan, Bethany Allen, and Nathan Attrill – along with external contributors Mariví Marín, Shannon van Sant, and Alex Colville, produced the study, which highlights the potential for expanded digital control and raises concerns about the spread of Chinese‑sponsored surveillance tools.