Putin reaffirms Russia's support for Venezuela in call with Maduro

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed support for Caracas in a call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, on Thursday.

A Kremlin statement said Putin and Maduro exchanged views on issues related to furthering the development of relations in accordance with the treaty on strategic partnership and cooperation that took effect in November.

"Vladimir Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reaffirmed support for the Maduro government's policies aimed at safeguarding national interests and sovereignty amid mounting external pressures," it said.

Mutual commitment was reconfirmed to consistently implement joint projects in trade-economic, energy, finance, cultural-humanitarian, and other spheres, according to the statement.

Venezuela and Russia have been deepening ties as Caracas has come under growing US economic and military pressure, including the deployment of thousands of troops and an aircraft carrier strike group to the Caribbean. US President Donald Trump has issued repeated threats, stating that Maduro's days are "numbered."

Thursday's phone call represents the closest direct high-level contact since Maduro’s visit to Russia in May for annual Victory Day celebrations.

His conversation with Putin took place as leading opposition figure Maria Corina Machado reappeared publicly in Norway, where she has urged international support to deprive the Maduro government of resources.

Machado, who has been in hiding since the 2024 elections in Venezuela, also confirmed that her travel from Venezuela to Norway was facilitated by the US.

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed support for Caracas in a call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, on Thursday.

Mutual commitment was reconfirmed to consistently implement joint projects in trade-economic, energy, finance, cultural-humanitarian, and other spheres, according to the statement.

Thursday's phone call represents the closest direct high-level contact since Maduro’s visit to Russia in May for annual Victory Day celebrations.

Machado, who has been in hiding since the 2024 elections in Venezuela, also confirmed that her travel from Venezuela to Norway was facilitated by the US.