Russia reaffirms support for Venezuela amid tensions with US

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday reaffirmed Moscow's support for Venezuela's leadership in defending national sovereignty amid rising tensions with the US.

In response to media reports claiming that the US administration has at least three plans for a military intervention and a forced change of power in Venezuela, Zakharova said at a press briefing in Moscow that Russia is in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities.

She warned that any US military action against Venezuela would escalate the situation rather than resolve problems.

Moscow has consistently argued that "any escalation only leads to even bigger problems," she added.

"There are different tactics; there are different ways of doing things, but it is obvious that what several American observers, experts, and figures in various structures are saying is that such direct aggression will lead to a worsening of the situation, rather than resolving those problematic issues," she said.

She also cited historical examples of the US attempting "to resolve a conflict by force or fight against the manifestation of global evil," pointing to the Middle East and North Africa as examples of how such a force-based approach exacerbates regional problems and creates problems for the US itself.

The warning comes amid heightened tensions. Washington accuses Venezuelan authorities of not actively combating drug smuggling, and the US Navy has deployed a significant force to the Caribbean, including eight ships and a nuclear submarine, to interdict vessels suspected of smuggling.

Furthermore, US media reports claim President Donald Trump ordered his administration to cease diplomatic efforts to ease tensions with Venezuela and has authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in the country.

This stands in contrast to Trump's public statement on Oct. 31, in which he announced he was not considering launching attacks on Venezuelan territory.