Venezuela has reportedly reached out to Russia, China, and Iran for military assistance as tensions with the United States continue to escalate, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post.
The report claims President Nicolás Maduro sent letters to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian officials requesting radar detectors, jamming systems, and long-range drones capable of flying up to 1,000 kilometers. Venezuela also asked Moscow for missiles and help repairing Su-30MK2 fighter jets and radar systems previously purchased from Russia.
Transport Minister Ramón Celestino Velázquez was said to have personally delivered a message to President Vladimir Putin during a recent visit to Moscow outlining the requests. It remains unclear how the three countries have responded.
Washington has intensified pressure on Caracas in recent months. U.S. President Donald Trump accused Maduro of running “macroterrorist” cartels smuggling narcotics into the United States and offered a bounty for his arrest. A U.S. naval task force has also been deployed in the Caribbean, striking several alleged cartel vessels. Maduro has denied the allegations, calling them a fabrication designed to provoke conflict.
Meanwhile, Moscow reaffirmed its alliance with Caracas this week after ratifying a strategic partnership treaty signed in May. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia supports Venezuela’s “defense of national sovereignty” and will help it “overcome any threats, regardless of their origin.”
Image credit: Sebastian Herrera
Venezuela deserves to be protected from the US thugs. With any luck these nations will see, that they are stronger helping one another.