Putin Expresses ‘Solidarity’ With Venezuelans Amid Rising US-Maduro Tensions Following Tanker Seizure
Putin expresses firm support for Venezuela amid increasing US military pressure after the American seizure of a tanker near its coast.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed his “solidarity with the Venezuelan people” amid escalating tensions between President Nicolás Maduro and the United States, following Washington’s seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
On Thursday, the Kremlin announced that Putin spoke with Maduro, reiterating support for Venezuela’s endeavors to safeguard its national interests and sovereignty amid increasing external pressure. The discussion occurred merely 24 hours following the interception of the vessel by American forces, marking the latest intensification in US initiatives to undermine Maduro, who is confronted with narcoterrorism charges in the US.
In her testimony before Congress, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem connected the tanker seizure to the Trump administration’s growing anti-drug initiatives in the area. The United States has established its most significant military presence in the Caribbean in many years and has conducted a number of lethal strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels.
The government of Venezuela denounced the seizure of the tanker as “a blatant theft and an act of international piracy,” asserting that Washington’s real objective is to oust Maduro from power.
Caracas reports that Putin “categorically reaffirmed his support” for Maduro, assuring him that direct communication between the two countries “will remain permanently open” and that Russia will continue to back Venezuela “in its struggle to assert its sovereignty, international law, and peace throughout Latin America.”
Maduro, similar to the late Hugo Chávez, has upheld strong connections with Moscow, which has provided Venezuela with vaccine supplies, cryptocurrency development, and military hardware. In recent years, Russia has sent nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to Venezuela and deployed naval vessels to the port of La Guaira.
Recently, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting with Venezuela’s ambassador to Russia, Jesús Rafael Salazar Velázquez, marking their second encounter in a little over two weeks. While specifics are not yet available, Belarusian state media has indicated that talks with Maduro are anticipated to persist, with mutual state visits being contemplated.
