Russian support for Venezuela in conflict with the US

TT

Published 19.05

 

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo: Amr Nabil/AP/TT

Russia expresses the country's "full support" for Venezuela in the escalating conflict between Venezuela and the US.

The announcement came in a phone call between the Russian Foreign Minister and his counterpart in Caracas.

The call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Venezuelan Yvan Gil on Monday took place at the same time as the US continued to try to block commercial ships - including oil tankers - from getting to and from Venezuela.

"The ministers expressed deep concern about the escalation of Washington's actions in the Caribbean Sea, which could have serious consequences for the region and threaten international shipping," the Russian Foreign Ministry announced after the call.

Russia also said it fully supports Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian leadership in Venezuela, and said the two countries should expand “bilateral cooperation.”

The United States and President Donald Trump have singled out Maduro as one of the targets of the intensified campaign. About 100 people have been killed in U.S. raids on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea, and recently two merchant ships off the coast of Venezuela were boarded by U.S. forces. A third ship was chased by U.S. forces in waters on Monday.

In addition, the Trump administration has targeted groups in Venezuela suspected by the United States of being involved in drug trafficking to the United States.