Honestly, the Trump administration's tepid reaction is as weird as the IMF's. Has El Salvador seceded from the Monroe Doctrine? Its not like China could do anything to defend them, or would even actually care. China can buy coffee and soybeans in lots of places.

Here's something to think about. China could be fighting asymmetrical warfare. If MS-13 is spending too much time on American law enforcement radar, China could have stopped the flow of MS-13 into the US in favor of the Venezuela gangs. In addition, just like in Africa, ES gives China an unobtrusive foothold in the Western Hemisphere.