Russia has declared its full support and solidarity with Venezuela as tensions escalate with the United States over naval operations in the Caribbean Sea. Moscow’s announcement came ahead of a key UN Security Council meeting set to discuss the growing crisis between Washington and Caracas. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Yván Gil condemned recent U.S. actions, calling them a threat to international maritime security and regional stability.

The statement follows a series of U.S. naval operations targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, which have resulted in numerous deaths. On December 16, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers under sanctions, accusing President Nicolás Maduro’s government of using oil revenues to fund criminal activities. Caracas denounced the move as “international piracy,” while Russia and China backed Venezuela’s call for a UN discussion on sovereignty and non-interference.

Analysts warn that the standoff could further strain global energy markets. Maduro has cautioned that U.S. sanctions may disrupt international oil supply chains, adding another layer of uncertainty to global energy stability.