Russia Warns U.S. Over Venezuela

M.A. Dworkin

Moscow - Russia’s Foreign Ministry issued a new warning to the Trump Administration amid escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela.

“We note continuous and deliberate attempts to escalate tensions with our ally Venezuela. Unilateral decisions creating a threat to international shipping are particularly alarming,” the Ministry said in a statement carried by Russia’s state-owned news agency Tass. “Hopefully, the Trump Administration, known for pursuing a rational and practical policy course, will stop short of making a fatal mistake and refrain from escalating things down a path that may cause unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere.”

In the wake of President Donald Trump imposing a “total and complete” blockade of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, Venezuelan President Maduro has ordered the Venezuelan Navy to provide escorts to oil tankers in a direct challenge to Trump’s blockade.

The Kremlin echoed the Foreign Ministry’s position, with top spokesman Dimitry Peskov telling reporters at a daily briefing that Moscow was in “constant contact” with its “ally and partner” Venezuela.

“We urge all countries in the region to show restraint in order to avoid any unpredictable development in this situation,” said Mr. Peskov, adding that President Vladimir Putin had recently spoken by phone with Maduro.

During previous periods of tension between Washington and Caracas, Russia quietly bolstered Venezuela’s defenses, including by dispatching about 100 technical advisors to help service military equipment.

President Trump has stated his rationale behind the blockade is that Venezuela has taken what was rightfully the U.S.’s oil, land and other assets. He stated that the U.S. military build-up around Venezuela would continue to grow until that country returns the “oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us.” 

Russia has been a longtime ally of Venezuela, which has the world’s largest oil reserves. Trump’s actions in the region may very well have an economic global impact. 

Concern has been growing in the U.S. and around the world that Trump is on the verge of declaring war with Venezuela after months of targeted deadly strikes, which have killed 98 people and bombed-out 28  alleged drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, leading up to a Venezuelan oil tanker being seized by the U.S.

Yet, according to the Moscow Times, it remains uncertain what support, if any, Moscow would offer its key ally in the region should the standoff escalate further, including in the event of broader U.S. military action against the Maduro government.

Venezuela has recently asked the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting in response to the threats from Washington.