Russia has issued a strong warning to the United States following a maritime blockade imposed by the Donald Trump administration against Venezuela, cautioning that unilateral actions by Washington could push the Western Hemisphere toward armed conflict with unpredictable consequences.
In a harsh statement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced the U.S. military escalation in the Caribbean as reviving practices akin to banditry and piracy, and urged avoiding a “destructive course” that could further destabilize the region.
“We are forced to state that the U.S. continues to deliberately increase tension around friendly Venezuela,” Zakharova stated at a press conference.
Accusations of “Piracy” and Violations of Maritime Law
Zakharova was direct in her reference to the de facto blockade imposed by the United States on Venezuelan ports and coasts. “Today we are witnessing complete anarchy in the Caribbean Sea, where forgotten practices of theft of foreign property are being revived, specifically piracy and banditry,” she denounced.
From her perspective, the naval cordon and interceptions of tankers constitute a “violation of freedom of navigation” established in Article 87 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Zakharova characterized the restrictions imposed by the U.S. as unilateral, illegal, and contrary to fundamental principles of international law, such as the sovereign equality of states and non-interference in internal affairs.
Moscow’s Warning: Avoiding a “Destructive Course”
In one of the strongest warnings Russia has directed at Washington in the Latin American context in recent years, the Russian Foreign Ministry explicitly called on the Trump administration to avoid military escalation.
“It is important to prevent events from following a destructive course,” Zakharova stated, while expressing hope that “the pragmatism and common sense that define the President of the United States will allow for mutually acceptable solutions.”
She also made clear that Moscow does not rule out regional consequences if the U.S. campaign intensifies, and emphasized that Latin America and the Caribbean “must remain zones of peace, as proclaimed in 2014.”
Russia Denounces Pursuit of “External Control” over Venezuelan Resources
Zakharova directly linked the U.S. military actions to an attempt to dominate Venezuela’s natural resources. She affirmed that the maritime cordon responds to the “pretension to establish external control over the sovereign resources” of the South American country, a gesture she believes updates the logic of the Monroe Doctrine under a so-called “Trump Amendment.”
“Such methods inflict serious damage to global energy security, encourage price volatility, increase uncertainty, and disrupt established resource supply chains,” she warned.
Unconditional Support for the Maduro Government
Zakharova reaffirmed Russia’s support for Nicolás Maduro and his administration. “We reaffirm our support for the efforts of the Government of Nicolás Maduro to protect sovereignty and national interests, and to maintain the stable and secure development of its country,” she emphasized, aligning with the message President Vladimir Putin recently sent to the Venezuelan leader, expressing his “unwavering solidarity in the face of unprecedented external pressure.”
Russia’s position is in addition to that of other Venezuelan allies, such as Cuba and Nicaragua, whose leaders have also expressed their “unwavering” support for the Chavista government, amid what they consider a “historical battle.”
A Year of High Tension in the Caribbean
The warnings from Russia come after a 2025 marked by a constant increase in U.S. pressure on Venezuela. In January, Donald Trump authorized the use of force as part of a campaign against “narcoterrorism,” and in August, deployed a nuclear submarine in Caribbean waters.
In the following months, the situation has worsened with attacks by the Southern Command on vessels linked to drug trafficking, although without conclusive evidence. More than one hundred people have died in at least 30 naval attacks, some considered extrajudicial executions by human rights organizations.
Tensions escalated with ‘Operation Southern Spear,’ which in November and December led to the interception of Venezuelan tankers, provoking international protests and an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, where most countries condemned the unilateral stance of the U.S.
Although the White House continues to insist on its crusade against drug trafficking, members of its own government, such as Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, have publicly admitted that the ultimate goal is the overthrow of Maduro. Wiles recently stated: “we will continue to fly boats until Maduro admits defeat.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Russia’s warning to the United States?
Russia issued the warning in response to a maritime blockade imposed by the U.S. government against Venezuela, expressing concern that these actions could lead to armed conflict.
What specific actions by the U.S. is Russia criticizing?
Russia is criticizing the naval cordon, the interception of tankers, and attacks on vessels linked to drug trafficking, characterizing them as violations of international law and an attempt to control Venezuela’s resources.
What is Russia’s position on the Maduro government?
Russia reaffirms its support for Nicolás Maduro and his administration, expressing solidarity in the face of external pressure and supporting Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Given the escalating tensions and strong rhetoric from multiple international actors, what steps could be taken to de-escalate the situation and prevent further instability in the region?
