Russia has reaffirmed that it will provide full support and stands in solidarity with Venezuela as the country faces a United States military blockade in the Caribbean. Moscow's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart, Yvan Gil, during which he expressed "serious concern over Washington's increasingly escalatory actions in the Caribbean Sea," according to a ministry statement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sided with Lavron. Earlier, Putin expressed "solidarity with the people of Venezuela and reaffirmed his support for the [Nicolas] Maduro government's resolve to defend national interests and sovereignty against foreign pressure."

Washington has deployed multiple naval vessels to the region since September, attacking boats it claims are involved in drug trafficking and blockading oil tankers from entering or leaving the country.