Trump calls on Maduro to step down: Details of the crisis and Russian support for Venezuela
In a new development in the ongoing political crisis between Washington and Caracas, US President Donald Trump explicitly called on his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolás Maduro , to step down, describing such a move as "wise." Trump made these remarks during a press conference at his Florida residence on Monday, where he addressed questions about whether current US pressure was aimed at ending Maduro's more than 12-year rule.
In response, Trump said, "It's up to him to decide what he wants to do, but I think it would be wise for him to step down," leaving the door open to speculation about the nature of the next U.S. steps toward the oil-rich Latin American nation.
Russia condemns "piracy" and supports Caracas
On the other side of the world, Russia was quick to respond to the American moves. Moscow announced its full and unconditional support for Venezuela in the face of what it called "American aggression." This stance came after the United States imposed a blockade targeting Venezuelan oil tankers, a move that Caracas and Moscow considered a violation of international law.
In this context, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil revealed that he had received a phone call from his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during which the two discussed the recent escalation. Gil confirmed that the talks addressed "the flagrant violations of international law in the Caribbean region, including attacks on boats and acts of piracy perpetrated by Washington." For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing its deep concern over the escalation and reiterating its solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people.
Background to the conflict: sanctions and power struggles
These statements cannot be separated from the historically tense context of relations between the two countries. Since Nicolás Maduro succeeded the late Hugo Chávez in 2013, disagreements with the United States have escalated. Washington considers Maduro's rule illegitimate, particularly after the 2018 elections, the integrity of which was questioned by Western powers, leading to a series of harsh economic sanctions targeting the oil sector, the lifeblood of the Venezuelan economy.
Through its “maximum pressure” strategy, the United States seeks to financially strangle the regime to force it to hold new elections or step down, which has caused severe economic crises within Venezuela, manifested in hyperinflation and shortages of basic goods.
Geopolitical and oil importance
This event is of major international importance given Venezuela's position as the country with the world's largest proven oil reserves. The internal conflict in Venezuela often transforms into a geopolitical battleground between major powers, with Russia and China supporting the Maduro regime politically, economically, and militarily, considering it a strategic ally in the United States' backyard, while Washington leads the Western camp demanding regime change.
The latest escalation comes on the eve of a highly anticipated meeting of the UN Security Council, raising the prospect of a new diplomatic confrontation between major powers over the Venezuelan issue and its potential impact on global energy markets and the stability of the Latin American region.
