Russia has reaffirmed that it will provide full support and stands in solidarity with Venezuela as the country faces a United States military blockade in the Caribbean. Moscow’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil, during which he expressed “serious concern over Washington’s increasingly escalatory actions in the Caribbean Sea,” according to a ministry statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sided with Lavron. Earlier, Putin expressed “solidarity with the people of Venezuela and reaffirmed his support for the [Nicolas] Maduro government’s resolve to defend national interests and sovereignty against foreign pressure.”

Washington has deployed multiple naval vessels to the region since September, attacking boats it claims are involved in drug trafficking and blockading oil tankers from entering or leaving the country.

The US has alleged that narcotics traffickers operate out of Venezuela with the support of the government. Caracas has consistently denied the claims, and insists that Washington is plotting regime change in order to gain access to the country’s natural resources. –RT

War Crimes Stacking Up: Three More Killed In US Attack On A Venezuelan Boat

Since September, the United States Navy, under the direction of Pete Hegseth’s Department of War, has destroyed multiple boats off the coast of the South American country that it claims were carrying drugs. U.S. ruler Donald Trump has also threatened that land strikes could happen “pretty soon.”

Lavrov said that the military buildup by the U.S. could “lead to far-reaching consequences for the region and create a threat to international maritime navigation.”

Trump Orders A “Complete Blockade Of Sanctioned Oil Tankers” Coming In and Out Of Venezuela

China has also chosen to side with Venezuela. Earlier this month, the Chinese Foreign Ministry publicly backed Caracas, saying that Beijing opposes “all acts of unilateralism and bullying.”

Venezuela said that if the U.S. attacks, it will retaliate.

Venezuela: “If The Gringos Attack, We Will Respond”