Putin and Maduro pledge to strengthen cooperation in the face of Trump’s actions

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pledged to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation after the Trump administration ordered Chevron to withdraw from Caracas.

In a video call with Maduro on Friday night, broadcast on Venezuelan state television, Putin affirmed that the two countries are strategic partners and intend to strengthen bilateral relations.

For his part, Maduro stressed that Moscow and Caracas have raised their relations to the highest levels in several areas.

Maduro was re-elected for a third presidential term in July 2024, but the Venezuelan opposition and Western countries rejected the announced election results.

Putin was among the few leaders to recognize the Venezuelan president’s victory.

Putin and Maduro’s call came less than three weeks after Trump revoked Chevron’s license to produce oil in Venezuela, which faces US sanctions, depriving the country, already suffering a severe economic crisis, of a vital resource.

Trump accused his counterpart, Maduro, of reneging on an agreement between the two countries under which Venezuela would take back its citizens deported from the United States.

Venezuela strengthened its relations with Russia under the late anti-US president Hugo Chavez between 1999 and 2013, and this continued under his successor, Maduro.

Maduro refused to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine as of 2022.

Putin invited Maduro to visit Moscow to attend Russia’s celebration of the anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II, which it traditionally marks with a massive military parade on May 9.