Russia supports Venezuela against the US: a strategic alliance and escalation at the Security Council
In a move reflecting the depth of the strategic alliance between Moscow and Caracas, Russia reaffirmed its full and unconditional support for Venezuela in the face of what it called “American aggression,” amid escalating tensions over Washington’s blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers. This firm Russian stance comes on the eve of a scheduled meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the deepening crisis between the United States and Venezuela.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil announced on Monday that he had received a phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during which the two discussed recent developments in the Caribbean. Gil confirmed that the talks addressed the “flagrant violations of international law” perpetrated by the United States, specifically mentioning the interception of boats and what he termed “acts of piracy” aimed at crippling the Venezuelan economy. The Venezuelan minister quoted Lavrov as reiterating his country’s “full support” in the face of these challenges.
For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued an official statement expressing Moscow's deep concern over the US escalation, affirming the solidarity of the Russian leadership and people with Venezuela during this critical time. This stance reflects the Kremlin's continued support for President Nicolás Maduro, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, especially given that Caracas was among the first capitals to endorse the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
A warning message to the Security Council
In a related development, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro sent a strongly worded letter to the members of the UN Security Council, describing US actions as “state piracy.” In his letter, Maduro warned that turning a blind eye to these actions threatens the international legal order and global security as a whole. He wrote: “History has taught us that inaction in the face of aggression and contempt for international law has devastating consequences… If the unilateral use of force and the plundering of the resources of a sovereign state are tolerated, the world is heading toward a scenario of global confrontation with unpredictable consequences.”.
Background of the conflict and dimensions of energy
To understand the dimensions of this escalation, one must consider the historical context of US sanctions on Venezuela, which have intensified since 2019 in an attempt to pressure the Maduro regime. Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves, making its energy sector a prime target for sanctions aimed at reducing state revenues. Russia plays a pivotal role in helping Venezuela circumvent these sanctions and market its oil, in addition to the close military and technical cooperation between the two countries.
International geopolitical repercussions
Observers believe this tension transcends bilateral relations, forming part of a global power struggle between major powers. While Washington seeks to maintain its influence in the Western Hemisphere, Moscow is working to strengthen its presence in Latin America as part of a strategy to build a “multipolar world.” Russian support for Venezuela sends a clear message that Moscow will not abandon its allies, and that the Western policy of sanctions and economic embargoes will be met with greater unity and cooperation among the countries targeted by these sanctions.
