Russia has pledged full support to Venezuela after US forces enforced a blockade and seized sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean, prompting concerns about wider regional and global effects. The declaration came ahead of a UN Security Council meeting called to address the dispute between Washington and Caracas. Moscow and Caracas said their foreign ministers will coordinate at the UN to defend sovereignty, while the US insists its actions target drug trafficking.
Russia Vows Full Support for Venezuela Amid US Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers
Venezuelan foreign minister Yvan Gil held a call with his Russian counterpart a day before the UN Security Council is set to discuss Washington's pressure campaign (STRINGER)(STRINGER/AFP/AFP)
Russia on Monday declared its "full support" for Venezuela as Caracas confronts a US-enforced blockade targeting sanctioned oil tankers in the Caribbean, framing recent US actions as an escalation with potential regional consequences.
The announcement from Moscow — which remains deeply involved in the war in Ukraine — came ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting convened to discuss the mounting dispute between Washington and Caracas.
Diplomatic Response
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone with Venezuela's foreign minister, Yván Gil. The Russian foreign ministry said the ministers expressed "deep concern over the escalation of Washington's actions in the Caribbean Sea, which could have serious consequences for the region and threaten international shipping."
"The Russian side reaffirmed its full support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people in the current context."
What Washington Says
US authorities say their actions — which include strikes on vessels they allege were trafficking drugs and the seizure of two oil tankers bound for or departing Venezuela — are aimed at disrupting illicit networks. A US official told AFP a third ship was being pursued. Washington has not publicly released all underlying evidence for some of its claims.
President Donald Trump announced on December 16 a blockade on "sanctioned oil vessels" traveling to and from Venezuela, accusing the Maduro government of using oil revenues to finance criminal activity. Trump also accused Venezuela of seizing "all of our oil," apparently referring to past nationalization of the country's petroleum sector.
Human Cost and Regional Concerns
US strikes since September have, according to authorities, family members and some governments, resulted in more than 100 deaths, with some victims reported to be fishermen. Caracas has described US actions as an attempt at regime change and denounced them as "international piracy."
Coordination At The UN
Moscow said Lavrov and Gil agreed to coordinate responses on the international stage, particularly at the UN, to defend state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs. Russia and China backed Caracas's request for a Security Council meeting to examine what Venezuela called "ongoing US aggression."
On Telegram, Gil accused the United States of "attacks on vessels, extrajudicial executions, and illicit acts of piracy." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed concerns about a Russia escalation over Venezuela, saying Russia is "not worried about an escalation" because it has its "hands full in Ukraine."
On state television, Gil read a letter from President Nicolás Maduro addressed to UN member states warning that the US blockade "will affect the supply of oil and energy" globally. The situation remains fluid as diplomats prepare for debate at the Security Council.
