WP: Maduro asks Putin for weapons support over Pentagon buildup in Caribbean

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has turned to Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance in response to what he described as threats from US President Donald Trump.

According to The Washington Post, Maduro requested that Russia supply Venezuela with missiles, radar systems, air defence equipment, and modern military aircraft amid the reported buildup of Pentagon forces in the Caribbean region.

Moscow has long served as a crucial ally and economic lifeline for Maduro’s government. On October 26, an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft — one of several Russian planes sanctioned by the United States in 2023 for involvement in arms trading and the transport of mercenaries — landed in Caracas after taking a circuitous route over Africa to avoid Western-controlled airspace, according to data from Flightradar24.

While the Kremlin declined to comment on reports of Maduro’s letter to Putin, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated on the evening of October 31 that Moscow “supports Venezuela in defending its national sovereignty” and is “ready to respond appropriately to the requests of our partners in light of emerging threats.” The ministry’s statement came shortly after Russia ratified a new strategic cooperation treaty with Caracas, reinforcing their close partnership.

Sources cited by The Washington Post also said that the Venezuelan government has appealed to Iran for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of flying over 1,000 kilometres, along with GPS jamming systems. Additionally, Caracas reportedly asked China to increase production of detection systems for potential sale to Venezuela.

The report’s claims have not been officially confirmed, and it remains unclear how Moscow, Tehran, or Beijing have responded — if at all — to the Venezuelan requests.

By Tamilla Hasanova