Russia supports Venezuela against the US: Details of the Russian position and the Caribbean escalation
In a move reflecting the depth of the strategic alliance between Moscow and Caracas, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil announced on Monday that he had received an important phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The call conveyed strong and direct messages of support from the Russian leadership for Venezuela in the face of what they described as increasing US pressure and aggression in the Caribbean region.
In an official statement, Gill explained that the talks addressed in detail the "flagrant violations of international law" perpetrated by the United States, citing specific incidents including attacks on boats and ships and attempts to seize Venezuelan assets, describing these practices as "acts of piracy." For his part, Lavrov affirmed that Russia would not stand idly by, reiterating its "full support" for Caracas in the face of these challenges and emphasizing that such actions cannot be tolerated internationally.
Context of the conflict and history of sanctions
This current escalation cannot be separated from the historical context of strained relations between Washington and Caracas. For years, the United States has imposed a wide range of economic and oil sanctions on Venezuela, aiming to pressure the government of President Nicolás Maduro. These sanctions have intensified to an unprecedented degree since 2019, as Washington has sought to isolate Venezuela from the global financial system, freezing Venezuelan assets abroad and targeting oil tankers attempting to break the embargo.
Venezuela considers the recent US actions in the Caribbean, including the seizure of ships or aircraft, to be a dangerous escalation that goes beyond traditional economic sanctions to the level of direct military threat and maritime piracy, which prompted this intensive diplomatic move with the Russian ally.
A geopolitical alliance against the West
This Russian support is of paramount importance, extending far beyond the regional boundaries of Latin America and becoming intertwined with the broader landscape of international conflict. The relationship between Putin and Maduro is not a recent development; it is a strategic partnership encompassing military cooperation, energy, and political support in international forums. Moscow views Venezuela as a key partner in the Western Hemisphere and a crucial base of influence to counter American hegemony.
In contrast, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was among the first leaders to openly support Russia's military operation in Ukraine, arguing that Russia was defending its national security. Therefore, Lavrov's assurance of "full cooperation and support" for Venezuela, including support within the UN Security Council, serves as a deterrent message to Washington that any escalation against Caracas will be met with a firm Russian stance, complicating US calculations in the region and exacerbating the current international polarization.
