Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Photo: Sputnik.
The Russian foreign minister criticized the US military campaign off the coast of Venezuela, calling it an illegitimate pretext, and reiterated his nation’s support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Lavrov deemed US military actions in waters near Venezuela “unacceptable” and asserted that this confrontational approach “will not lead to anything good” for Washington’s reputation.
In a hybrid interview with Russian media, the foreign minister specifically addressed the Pentagon’s military campaign in the Caribbean Sea, which it justifies under the pretext of combating drug trafficking. “I cannot conclude my remarks on Venezuela without mentioning our position on the unacceptability of the actions undertaken by the United States under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking,” Lavrov emphasized.
He went further in his criticism, accusing Washington of acting like a “rogue state”: “This is how rogue states generally act—those that believe themselves to be above the law,” he said, referring to the interceptions and bombings of ships the United States carries out “without trial or due process.”
The escalation of pressure
Lavrov’s remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region. Since August, Washington has deployed three warships and approximately 4,000 troops to the Caribbean, a move Caracas has denounced as a direct threat. The escalation intensified after US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $50 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whom she accuses of leading a drug trafficking organization dubbed the “Cartel of the Suns”—a group specialized authorities say does not exist.
In response, the Venezuelan government is mobilizing its militias and reinforcing its borders, preparing for what it considers a possible US incursion. It has also requested support from UN Secretary-General AntĂłnio Guterres to halt the aggression.
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Strategic support
Although Lavrov clarified there were “no recent requests” from Venezuela for Russian military assistance, he made clear Moscow’s willingness to honor its commitments.
“Lavrov noted that Russia is prepared to act in full compliance with its obligations under the strategic partnership agreement with Venezuela, which is currently in the final stages of ratification in Russia,” the Sputnik news agency reported.
This support comes amid “ongoing contacts” that, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, both countries are maintaining given the tense situation. Zakharova has already strongly condemned US actions, stating that “we strongly condemn the excessive use of military force in counter-narcotics missions” and emphasizing they violate both US and international law.
The anti-drug pretext
Both Russia and Venezuela have dismissed the anti-drug argument as a facade. President Maduro has repeatedly described Washington’s true objective as promoting regime change and seizing Venezuela’s immense oil wealth, which includes the world’s largest crude oil reserves.
Lavrov addressed this with irony, suggesting the US focus its efforts elsewhere. “Instead of dealing with Nigeria or Venezuela in the fight against drugs and, incidentally, seizing their oil fields,” Lavrov said, “the United States would probably be better off combating this phenomenon in Belgium,” alluding to media reports about drug trafficking in Europe. “Moreover, there are already US troops and others there. There will be no need to chase small boats with three people on board,” he added.
US military actions in the Caribbean—which have included the bombing of small boats without publicly presenting evidence of their involvement in drug trafficking—have drawn widespread criticism. Governments of Colombia, Mexico and Brazil, as well as UN experts, have stated these operations amount to “summary executions” and violate international law.
(Telesur)
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/JB/SH
