Monday, December 22, 2025 — President Donald Trump stated on Monday that it would be “smart” for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down, as U.S. naval forces intensified a blockade of Venezuela’s oil wealth.
Moscow, Venezuela’s key ally, expressed its “full support” for Maduro’s government amid escalating tensions ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting Tuesday.
When asked by reporters at his Florida home whether Washington’s threats were designed to force Maduro to leave office after 12 years, Trump replied: “That’s up to him, what he wants to do. I think it would be smart for him to do that.” He added: “If he wants to do something — if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’s ever able to play tough.”
The pledge from Moscow followed a phone call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. In their discussion, the ministers condemned U.S. actions in the Caribbean Sea, which have included strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats and the seizure of two oil tankers. A third vessel was under pursuit, according to a U.S. official on Sunday.
The Russian ministry stated: “The ministers expressed deep concern over the escalation of Washington’s actions in the Caribbean Sea, which could have serious consequences for the region and threaten international shipping.” It reaffirmed Moscow’s “full support for and solidarity with the Venezuelan leadership and people.”
Under Trump’s orders since September, U.S. forces have launched strikes on boats Washington claims are trafficking drugs in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. More than 100 people have been killed — some fishermen, according to their families and governments.
Last week, Trump announced a blockade of “sanctioned oil vessels” sailing to and from Venezuela, claiming Caracas uses oil money to finance “drug terrorism, human trafficking, murder and kidnapping.” He also accused Venezuela of taking “all of our oil,” referencing the country’s nationalization of its petroleum sector.
Caracas countered that Washington is seeking regime change and has accused U.S. actions of “international piracy.” Moscow emphasized that Lavrov and Gil agreed to “coordinate their actions on the international stage, particularly at the UN.” Russia and China, Venezuela’s other allies, supported Caracas’ request for a UN Security Council meeting to address what they called “U.S. aggression.”
On state television, Gil read a letter signed by Maduro addressed to UN member nations, warning that the U.S. blockade would affect global oil and energy supplies. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed Moscow’s support for Venezuela, stating Washington was “not concerned about an escalation with Russia with regards to Venezuela” as “they have their hands full in Ukraine.”
The U.S.-Russia relationship has deteriorated recently due to Trump’s criticism of Moscow over the lack of progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict.
