Venezuela's Allies Russia and China Offer Limited Material Support During US Caribbean Operations

Venezuela's Alliances: Russia and China's Current Engagement

Historically, Venezuela, under Presidents Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, has maintained significant political, financial, and military support from China and Russia. This relationship is currently being re-evaluated amidst increased United States military activity in the Caribbean.

The United States has deployed air and naval forces, including a nuclear-powered submarine, spy planes, and 15,000 troops, to the Caribbean region. The US administration states these deployments and conducted strikes on regional boats are targeting drug trafficking operations. These operations have reportedly resulted in over 80 fatalities. Recently, an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela was seized by the US, which stated the vessel had been sanctioned.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and some experts assert that Washington's primary objective is regime change in Venezuela, contrasting with the US administration's stated focus on drug trafficking.

Russia's support for Venezuela has primarily manifested through diplomatic statements. For example, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated, "we support Venezuela, as it supports us," and urged the US administration to avoid escalating the crisis. Following the US seizure of the oil tanker, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly affirmed support for Maduro in a phone call.

However, Russia has not provided material assistance to Venezuela in response to the recent US actions. Experts, such as Professor Vladimir Rouvinski of Icesi University, indicate that Russia's resource allocation is heavily directed towards the conflict in Ukraine, coupled with Western sanctions. This has reportedly reduced Russia's capacity to provide substantial support to allies like Venezuela, similar to recent observations concerning Syria and Iran. Professor Fernando Reyes Matta of Andrés Bello University also notes that Venezuela has become a lower priority for Moscow, especially in the context of Russia's engagement in Ukraine.

China has refrained from committing to military defense of Venezuela. Instead, Beijing has issued condemnations of "external interference" and called for restraint. China's foreign policy considerations reportedly include protecting recent diplomatic advancements with the United States. A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October was described as positive by both sides, opening possibilities for new agreements and reduced tariffs.

Experts suggest that China's support for Maduro could jeopardize its diplomatic gains with Washington. Professor Rouvinski observes that China's focus in Venezuela has shifted towards recovering past loans, with a reduction in new lending, largely due to Venezuela's economic downturn and the deterioration of its oil industry. He also suggests China may be open to negotiating with a future Venezuelan government.