Russia has committed to being prepared to assist Venezuela as President Donald Trump escalates the presence of US military forces near the South American country. The White House is moving forward with plans for a military campaign targeting drug smugglers, though experts have raised concerns that such actions could violate international law.
In May, Caracas and Moscow entered into a strategic partnership, leading the Kremlin to assert its readiness to take action. Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is prepared to fulfill its obligations outlined in the agreement with Venezuela.
Although the partnership agreement is not yet in effect, it is nearing completion, with leaders from both countries having ratified the pact. Lavrov indicated that the agreement is undergoing final stages of ratification by the Russian Legislature, emphasizing the importance of continuing security cooperation, including military-technical collaboration.
The US has significantly increased its military presence near Venezuela, with the recent arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, and three additional warships in the region. This heightened military activity has sparked speculation about the intentions behind Trump’s actions and whether they are aimed at ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Despite the US show of force, Venezuela has not formally requested military aid or the deployment of Russian weaponry in the country, according to Lavrov. However, a senior Russian official hinted at the possibility of supplying Venezuela with the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, previously utilized by Moscow in striking Ukraine last year.