Russia has issued a forceful condemnation of what it described as Washington’s unlawful and aggressive use of military force in the Caribbean, denouncing the U.S. actions as a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and of international law.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Saturday that the United States was using the pretext of “anti-drug operations” to justify an expansion of its military presence in the region — a move Moscow views as a deliberate provocation aimed at undermining peace and stability in Latin America.

“We resolutely condemn the use of excessive military force under the guise of combating drug trafficking,” Zakharova stated, according to TASS. “We stand firmly with the legitimate government and people of Venezuela in defending their national sovereignty and right to self-determination.”

The Russian diplomat stressed that Latin America and the Caribbean must remain “a zone of peace” free from foreign military interference. She called for urgent steps toward de-escalation and for resolving disputes through dialogue and respect for international law.

Zakharova also highlighted that the U.S. actions violate multiple legal frameworks — including Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, Articles 18–22 of the OAS Charter, and Article 88 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“These illegal military operations not only disregard the sovereignty of Venezuela but also destabilize the entire region,” she said, noting that global figures such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk have also expressed concern.

Zakharova reaffirmed that cooperation between Moscow and Caracas continues to strengthen despite U.S. pressure, describing Russian-Venezuelan ties as a “strategic partnership based on mutual respect, solidarity, and shared commitment to a multipolar world.”

“The friendship between Russia and Venezuela is unshakable,” she said. “No external force will succeed in undermining our collective defense of sovereignty, justice, and peace in the region.” (ILKHA)