Venezuela’s Maduro asks Putin for military aid amid rising tensions with US
Photo: Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for military assistance as the United States increases pressure on Venezuela, The Washington Post reports.
According to the outlet, which references internal US government documents, Nicolás Maduro sent a letter to Vladimir Putin requesting help in modernizing Venezuela's defense radars and repairing military equipment. The letter also included a request for missile deliveries.
The same documents show that Venezuela has also sought military support from China and Iran. Maduro reportedly sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping asking for an "expanded military cooperation" to counter "the escalation between the US and Venezuela."
In that letter, he also requested that the Chinese government accelerate the production of radar detection systems to strengthen Venezuela's defense capabilities.
Additionally, the documents state that Venezuela's Minister of Transport, Ramón Celestino Velásquez, recently coordinated the shipment of Iranian military equipment and drones, and was planning a visit to Iran.
According to the US government documents, Velásquez told an unnamed Iranian official that Venezuela needed "passive detection equipment", "GPS scramblers," and "drones with 1,000 km range."
Russia’s cooperation with Venezuela
The Washington Post noted that on Sunday, October 26, a Russian Il-76 military transport plane arrived in Caracas. A day earlier, Moscow had approved a new strategic agreement with the Venezuelan government.
A few months ago, a Kalashnikov ammunition plant also began operating in Venezuela’s Aragua state.
However, analysts believe Moscow's interest in supporting Maduro has waned because of Russia's war against Ukraine.
"The fact that we've moved over 10 percent of our naval assets to the Caribbean is already a win, in some regards, for Putin. Our renewed interest in all things Western Hemisphere divides our attention on Ukraine. And that’s a good thing for Putin," said former US Ambassador to Venezuela James Story.
Rumors of possible US strikes on Venezuela
Earlier, Western media, citing their own sources, reported that the United States might launch strikes against Venezuela.
According to unconfirmed information, Washington is planning to target Venezuelan military sites used for drug trafficking. The attacks could also hit ports, airports, naval bases, and airstrips.
WSJ specified that the strikes could begin within days or even hours.
However, US President Donald Trump has already dismissed such rumors.
