Media: Russia evacuates diplomat families from Venezuela amid Caribbean tensions

The Russian Foreign Ministry has started evacuating families of its diplomats from Venezuela as tensions rise in the Caribbean region.

The evacuation began on December 19, with priority given to women and children, the Associated Press (AP) reports, citing sources. 

A European intelligence official added that Russian authorities consider the current situation in Venezuela highly unstable.

Observers interpret Moscow’s actions as a sign of concern over potential further escalation in the region.

However, the Russian Foreign Ministry has denied the reports, calling them false and urging caution against Western provocations.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil said on December 22 that he spoke with Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, who reaffirmed Russia’s support for Venezuela amid Trump’s blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

“We reviewed the aggressions and flagrant violations of international law that have been committed in the Caribbean: attacks against vessels and extrajudicial executions, and the unlawful acts of piracy carried out by the United States government,” Gil stated.

The Defence Department, following Trump’s orders, continues targeting small vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean suspected of carrying drugs to the US and beyond.

At least 105 people have died in 29 confirmed strikes since early September, drawing criticism from US lawmakers and human rights groups, who argue the administration has provided little proof that the targets were drug traffickers and that the deadly strikes constitute extrajudicial killings.

By Jeyhun Aghazada