Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Tuesday accused Washington of fabricating the “hotspot” situation in the Caribbean, saying U.S. allegations against Venezuela’s leadership were largely unfounded.
Ryabkov, in comments published on the Foreign Ministry’s website, said UN and U.S. State Department reports on drug trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean show Venezuela is either absent or marginal in the issue. He argued the narrative was being artificially inflated to justify a buildup of U.S. military strike power in the region.
He stressed Moscow’s solidarity with Venezuela, citing a recently ratified strategic partnership agreement. “We cooperate with Venezuela across all fronts, including through security agencies,” Ryabkov said.
Russia condemned the escalation of tensions and urged Latin American and Caribbean nations to push back against Washington’s actions. “We urge the international community … to restrain Washington from further escalating the situation and to push the U.S. to abandon its dangerous aggressive designs,” Ryabkov said.
The Pentagon has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea. Since Sept. 2, U.S. forces have carried out at least 22 strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing more than 87 people aboard, according to official figures.