Russia has reaffirmed its full support for Venezuela as the South American nation confronts an escalating U.S. military blockade in the Caribbean, a move Moscow condemns as a destabilizing violation of international law. The strong show of solidarity came during a phone call on Monday between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil.
The two diplomats expressed serious concern over Washington's recent actions, which include seizing oil tankers and launching strikes on boats allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Lavrov warned that this U.S. military buildup "could lead to far-reaching consequences for the region and create a threat to international maritime navigation". Venezuela has denounced the seizure of its tankers as an "act of piracy" and accused the United States of seeking regime change to gain control of the country's vast natural resources.
In their discussion, Ministers Lavrov and Gil agreed to continue close bilateral cooperation and coordinate their diplomatic efforts on the international stage. This coordination is already evident, as both Russia and China have backed Venezuela's request for a United Nations Security Council meeting to address the crisis. Their joint stance frames the confrontation as a fundamental issue of state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, positioning the U.S. actions as unilateral bullying.
This support from Moscow is not new but represents a consistent, long-term partnership. Just weeks earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova declared that Russia remains ready to "respond to possible threats" and work "shoulder to shoulder" with Caracas. President Vladimir Putin has personally expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and support for the Maduro government's defense of national interests.
The Caribbean blockade is causing immediate economic ripples, contributing to a rise in global oil prices over fears of supply disruption. The situation also intersects with wider geopolitical tensions. China, the largest buyer of Venezuelan crude, has joined Russia in criticizing the U.S., calling the ship seizures a serious violation of international law and opposing all "unilateral and illegal" sanctions. Analysts note that pressuring Venezuela's oil exports strategically impacts China, potentially creating new friction in U.S.-China relations.
Despite the show of support from powerful partners, U.S. officials have downplayed the risk of escalation with Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Moscow is heavily engaged in the war in Ukraine, implying its capacity to intervene elsewhere is limited. Nevertheless, the firm alliance between Russia, Venezuela, and other nations opposed to unilateral U.S. actions is setting the stage for a significant diplomatic clash at the United Nations.