According to him, the evacuation of women and children began on December 19.
The AP's interlocutor noted that representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry assess the situation in Venezuela as “very gloomy.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry responded to the media material.
“The information disseminated by the Associated Press about the alleged evacuation of the Russian embassy from Venezuela is a lie. Be vigilant. Do not succumb to Western provocations!” – said in a message from the diplomatic department published in X.
❗️ Information disseminated by the Associated Press about the alleged evacuation of the Russian embassy from Venezuela is a lie.
Be careful. Don't give in to Western provocations! pic.twitter.com/zoVusXAbK5
— Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 🇷🇺 (@MID_RF) December 22, 2025
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil said on Telegram on December 22 that he spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
“The Russian Foreign Minister confirmed that Russia will provide Venezuela with comprehensive assistance and support in countering the blockade [нефтяных танкеров со стороны США]expressing full support for the actions being taken within the UN Security Council,” Gil wrote.
Context
In 2020, the US Department of Justice nominated Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and 14 other former and current officials of the country drug trafficking and corruption charges. In August 2025, the White House announced its readiness to “use all elements of power” to stop “the flow of drugs into the country,” in particular to concentrate ships and manpower in Venezuela.
Since September, the United States has carried out more than 20 strikes on ships believed to be transporting drugs from Latin America to the United States, CBS News reported Nov. 13. At least 80 people died.
On Nov. 11, the U.S. Navy reported that its largest warship, the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, had arrived in the Southern Command area of operations, covering much of Latin America and the Caribbean. CNN reported that there are about 15 thousand American troops in the Caribbean region. In response to this, Venezuela announced a “mass mobilization.”
Media reported that on November 12, US President Donald Trump was provided with plans for possible military operations against Venezuela in the coming days. Two days later, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the start of the US military operation “Southern Lance”, aimed against narco-terrorists, but did not say which country he was talking about.
On November 27, Trump announced ground operations against Venezuela.
On November 28, The New York Times wrote that Trump had had a telephone conversation with Maduro. He gave him a week to to get out of Venezuela, Reuters reported.
On December 1, Trump announced that the United States was closing the skies over Venezuela. On December 17 he announced a complete blockade sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
