The Venezuelan government reportedly requested everything from aircraft maintenance and the sending of missiles to long-range drones to reinforce its defenses amid escalating tension with Washington
Faced with growing pressure and the intensification of the military presence in the Caribbean, the president of , , sought to strengthen his defenses by resorting to strategic allies such as , and . According to US government documents revealed by the newspaper The Washington PostMaduro would have sent letters to the presidents and made contact with the Iranian government to request military support.
Caracas’ main concern is the outdated and poor state of its defense infrastructure, while observing the movement of American warships and aircraft near its coast, under the official justification of combating drug trafficking. Tensions increased with the news that Donald Trump’s administration was considering bombing military targets in Venezuela, such as ports and airports, which were allegedly used for drug trafficking. Although Trump has publicly denied the intention of an attack, the military move is seen as a clear show of force.
In diplomatic contacts, the Venezuelan government detailed its needs. From Moscow, Maduro would have asked for help with the maintenance and repair of Russian-made aircraft, such as the Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, in addition to reviewing radars and the possible supply of missiles. The letter addressed to Putin also mentioned the need for a financing plan to make this cooperation viable.
To Chinese President Xi Jinping, the request focused on expanding military cooperation and accelerating the production of radar detection systems manufactured by Chinese companies, aiming to reinforce the country’s air defenses.
The negotiations with Iran would have been coordinated by the Venezuelan Transport Minister, Ramón Celestino Velásquez. Requests to the Iranian government included sending shipments of drones with ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers, passive detection equipment and GPS jammers.
Caracas’ alliance with Moscow, Beijing and Tehran is not new and was fundamental in sustaining the Maduro government during the most intense periods of the economic crisis and international sanctions. Russia has been a historic partner in the military field, while China provides economic and technological support. Cooperation with Iran stands out in providing equipment and strategies to circumvent blockades.
