Venezuela's president asks Putin for military aid amid US troop mobilization in the Caribbean
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has asked for military support from Russia as the United States concentrates its forces in the Caribbean.
Nicolás Maduro and Vladimir Putin. PHOTO: X/@MaestraTuItera
Maduro has asked for help to strengthen Venezuela's air defense systems, including the delivery of 14 missile units and the refurbishing of several Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets that Caracas previously purchased, according to The Washington Post, citing internal US government documents.
The Venezuelan leader also requested the overhaul of eight engines, five radars and other forms of “logistical support” unspecified.
The official letter addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin was sent in mid-October by the Venezuelan Minister of Transport, Ramón Celestino Velásquez, who was then on a visit to Moscow, where he met with his Russian counterpart.
According to some sources, the letter described the Su-30 aircraft as straight “the most important deterrent available to the Venezuelan national government in the face of the threat of war”.
At the same time, he asked for a “three-year medium-term financing plan”, through the Russian defense conglomerate Rostec, but without specifying the amount requested. To date, it is not known whether Russia has responded to Venezuela's request, notes The Washington Post.
Venezuela is one of Russia's closest allies in South America, with relations between the two states having been strengthened since the time of socialist leader Hugo Chávez.
This year, Vladimir Putin and Nicolás Maduro signed a strategic partnership treaty in Moscow, part of a series of alliances the Kremlin has strengthened since the invasion of Ukraine.
However, analysts cited by the American publication believe that Russia has limited capacity – and little interest – to intervene militarily in support of Venezuela, in the event of a possible American operation, given its involvement in the war in Ukraine and efforts to strengthen its relations with other regional partners.
