In a significant geopolitical development, Russia has formally endorsed Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim president while condemning what it characterizes as “blatant neocolonial threats and foreign armed aggression” against the South American nation. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement on Tuesday asserting Venezuela’s right to self-determination without external interference, though it carefully avoided direct reference to the United States.
The diplomatic stance comes in response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of special forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Maduro, currently facing narcotics charges in the United States, maintains his legitimate claim to Venezuela’s presidency despite his forced removal. This event marks the second ousting of a key Russian ally within approximately thirteen months, following the deposition of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Moscow’s statement emphasized “unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government” while pledging continued “necessary support” for Caracas. The development occurs against the backdrop of complex Russia-US relations, with President Vladimir Putin cautiously avoiding criticism of Trump despite the administration’s aggressive Western Hemisphere policy.
According to senior Russian sources, Moscow appears to be testing the boundaries of renewed US assertion of the Monroe Doctrine, suggesting that Russia maintains equal rights to its own sphere of influence. This positioning unfolds simultaneously with ongoing negotiations between Russia and the Trump administration regarding the resolution of the Ukraine conflict, which has entered its fourth year. The Kremlin has demonstrated particular interest in rebuilding bilateral relations and revitalizing economic cooperation with the United States, creating a complex diplomatic balancing act amid escalating tensions in Venezuela.