Russian President Vladimir Putin and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva engaged in a significant phone call to discuss the recent developments in Venezuela, particularly following the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. The Kremlin confirmed that this conversation took place amid escalating tensions surrounding Venezuela’s sovereignty and national interests.
During their discussion, both leaders underscored the necessity of protecting Venezuela’s sovereignty in light of what they termed as US aggression. A statement released by the Kremlin indicated that Putin and Lula share fundamental perspectives on the need to uphold the national interests of the oil-rich nation. They agreed to enhance their coordination on this issue, both through the United Nations and the BRICS economic group, which they co-founded.
Details of the Incident and Reactions
The backdrop to this conversation includes a dramatic incident on January 3, 2024, when US commandos conducted airstrikes in Caracas and other areas of Venezuela. During this military operation, Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were abducted and taken to a US warship before being flown to New York. Both individuals appeared in court last week facing drug-trafficking conspiracy charges, to which they pleaded not guilty.
In the wake of the US raid, President Lula expressed his outrage via social media platform X, stating that the actions taken by Washington had crossed an “unacceptable line.” He warned that such military interventions set a dangerous precedent for the international community. Lula characterized the abduction of Maduro as reminiscent of the worst instances of foreign interference in Latin America’s political landscape, posing a threat to the region’s peace.
International Implications and Responses
In solidarity with Venezuela, Russia reiterated its commitment to opposing what it regards as neo-colonial threats and external armed aggression. The Kremlin called for the immediate release of Maduro from US custody. During an emergency session of the UN Security Council held earlier in January, Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, condemned the US actions as “international banditry,” asserting that they stemmed from a desire to exert control over Venezuela’s natural resources.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the US military operation as a “flagrant violation of international law,” further emphasizing Russia’s stance on the matter.
As the situation continues to develop, the upcoming Russian-Brazilian High-Level Commission on Cooperation, set to convene in February, aims to further strengthen bilateral relations and address the ongoing challenges in Latin America, including the crisis in Venezuela. Both presidents remain firm in their commitment to work together to de-escalate tensions and protect the sovereignty of nations in the region.
