Moscow

Russia on Wednesday called for assured sovereign development across Latin America and the Caribbean in the wake of the recent political upheaval in Venezuela, following the US military operation in Caracas that led to the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

In a statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Moscow urged respect for national sovereignty and cautioned against external intervention, asserting that countries in the region must be free to determine their own political paths without foreign interference.

Reaffirming its position, Russia said Venezuela has the right to independently shape its future and stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean should continue to be treated as a “zone of peace.” The ministry underscored that all nations in the region must be guaranteed sovereign development, free from what it described as destabilising external influence.

“We welcome the steps taken by the Venezuelan authorities to safeguard state sovereignty and national interests. Russia reiterates its unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government and wishes Venezuela’s authorised President, Delcy Rodriguez, success in addressing the challenges facing the Bolivarian Republic,” the statement said, adding that Moscow remains prepared to extend necessary support to Caracas.

The ministry further emphasised that Venezuela must retain the guaranteed right to decide its destiny independently, calling for de-escalation of tensions and resolution of disputes through dialogue grounded in international law, particularly the principles of the UN Charter. “Latin America and the Caribbean must remain a zone of peace, and the countries of the region must be assured sovereign development,” it added.

The remarks came amid dramatic developments in Caracas on Saturday, when the United States launched what it described as a “large-scale strike” against Venezuela, resulting in the detention of Maduro and Flores, who were subsequently taken out of the country.

According to reports, the two were apprehended in the Venezuelan capital and flown abroad in a coordinated operation involving intelligence agencies and US law enforcement authorities. They have since been charged in the Southern District of New York with alleged drug trafficking and narco-terrorism conspiracies and are currently facing trial.

Following their detention, Venezuela’s then Vice President Delcy Rodriguez formally assumed office as the country’s acting president, CNN reported. She was sworn in on Monday afternoon (local time) by her brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.

Russia welcomed the transition, describing it as a move aimed at preserving unity, upholding constitutional order and ensuring conditions for peaceful and stable development, despite what Moscow termed “blatant neo-colonial threats and external armed aggression.”

In a further clarification, the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that on January 5, Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the National Assembly, in accordance with a ruling by the Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela’s Supreme Court. The step, it said, demonstrated the government’s resolve to maintain institutional continuity, prevent a constitutional crisis and safeguard stability amid heightened external pressure.

The statement concluded by reiterating Russia’s solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people, while expressing readiness to continue providing support to the country.

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Russia’s comments reflect wider international concern over the US operation in Venezuela, which has drawn criticism from several countries and organisations that argue such actions threaten international law and regional stability.