Russia, Iran, China Support Venezuela Against US Maritime Blockade

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russia, Iran, and China have expressed readiness to support Venezuela in response to a maritime blockade announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, as Caracas seeks to rally international backing against what it describes as Washington’s escalating military pressure.

In a phone call on Monday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed what they characterized as hostile actions and blatant violations of international law in the Caribbean region.

According to a statement issued by Gil via Telegram and reported by Anadolu, Moscow pledged full support for Venezuela, particularly through diplomatic channels at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Foreign Minister Lavrov firmly conveyed Russia's solidarity to the Venezuelan people and President Nicolas Maduro Moros, and reaffirmed his full support in the face of hostile actions against our country,” Gil said.

The U.S.-announced maritime blockade has coincided with a significant expansion of American military presence in waters near Venezuela and has resulted in the seizure of Venezuelan oil shipments. Caracas has described the actions as piracy and an unlawful use of force.

Washington has defended the operation as part of its efforts to combat drug trafficking. As reported by Al Jazeera, U.S. forces have conducted more than two dozen attacks on vessels suspected of involvement in drug smuggling in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea near Venezuela.

However, critics have questioned the legality of the operations, noting that more than 100 people have been killed in the attacks, with no independent confirmation that the victims were drug traffickers rather than civilian fishermen.

The diplomatic backlash followed Trump’s claim that the United States had deployed the “largest naval armada ever assembled in the history of South America”.

Despite the White House’s stated anti-narcotics objective, the operation has led to the seizure of two oil tankers, while U.S. forces are reportedly attempting to intercept a third vessel.

Shortly after Trump’s remarks, the U.S. military announced it had killed another person during an attack on a “low-profile vessel” allegedly transporting drugs in international waters in the eastern Pacific.

Venezuela has repeatedly denied involvement in drug trafficking and accused Washington of attempting to overthrow President Nicolas Maduro in order to gain control of the country’s vast oil reserves, the largest in the world.

Russia has also warned that the U.S. naval deployment poses a direct threat to regional stability and international maritime transportation security.

Support from Iran and China

On Saturday, Caracas said Iran had also offered assistance to counter what it called U.S. “piracy” at sea. The Iranian Foreign Ministry urged the international community to “strongly oppose” the blockade and condemned the seizure of ships as illegal and unilateral.

China likewise criticized the latest U.S. actions, calling them a serious violation of international law. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposes any action that contravenes the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter or infringes on the sovereignty and security of other countries.

“Venezuela has the right to develop independently and engage in a mutually beneficial cooperation with other nations,” Lin said. “China understands and supports Venezuela’s stance in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.”

Trump’s Warning to Maduro

Trump has said the blockade will remain in place until Venezuela returns what he claims are assets stolen from the United States. He also issued a direct warning to President Maduro, suggesting it would be “wise” for him to step down.

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump signaled that Washington is prepared to further escalate pressure after four months of heightened measures against Caracas.

When asked whether his goal was to force Maduro out of power, Trump told reporters, “Well, I think it probably would… That’s up to him what he wants to do. I think it’d be smart for him to do that. But again, we’re gonna find out.”

“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play ‌tough,” Trump added.

The remarks came as the U.S. Coast Guard continued its pursuit of a third oil tanker on a second day, describing it as part of a so-called “dark fleet” used by Venezuela to evade sanctions.

“It’s moving along, and we’ll end up getting it,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. would seize both vessels and nearly four million barrels of Venezuelan oil intercepted so far.

“Maybe we’ll sell it. Maybe we’ll keep it. Maybe we will use it in the strategic reserves,” he said. “We’re keeping it. We’re keeping the ships also.”

Venezuela condemned the seizures as “state-sponsored piracy” and has formally requested the UN Security Council to address the issue to protect global shipping safety.

A Security Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, was requested by Venezuela and is supported by Russia and China to discuss the escalating crisis.

Read: Trump Announces US Will Store Oil and Ships Seized from Venezuela

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