Venezuela gov't says it condemns attacks on Iran as well as military reprisals conducted by Iran

Venezuela gov't says it condemns attacks on Iran as well as military reprisals conducted by Iran

Venezuela Condemns Attacks on Iran and Its Military Reprisals Amid Regional Tensions

The Venezuelan government has formally condemned recent attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, as well as Iran’s subsequent military strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in the Middle East. This stance aligns with Venezuela’s long-standing strategic partnership with Iran, which has deepened since the 2000s under leaders Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro. The two nations have cultivated a multifaceted alliance spanning energy, economic, and military cooperation, often circumventing Western sanctions through oil, gold, and infrastructure exchanges.

Iran and Venezuela’s relationship includes joint ventures in energy infrastructure, with Iran providing Venezuela technical expertise to expand oil refining capacity. This collaboration has enabled Venezuela to maintain energy exports despite U.S. sanctions, while also strengthening ties with Russia, which supplies Venezuela with naphtha to blend with its heavy crude according to reports. Additionally, the countries have engaged in gold smuggling and illicit financial networks, often facilitated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah-linked entities operating in Venezuela as analysis shows.

Venezuela’s condemnation of the recent conflict reflects its alignment with Iran’s geopolitical interests. The Maduro regime has historically framed U.S. actions in the Middle East as part of a broader strategy to destabilize anti-Western alliances. This perspective is reinforced by Iran’s use of Venezuela as a regional hub for Hezbollah operations, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and electronic warfare capabilities. A 2022 defense pact between the two nations further solidified military coordination, including the joint production of drones and asymmetric warfare technologies.

The ongoing tensions have implications for regional stability and global markets. The U.S. military buildup near Venezuela’s shores—citing concerns over drug trafficking—has heightened scrutiny of the Iran-Venezuela axis. Analysts note that disruptions to this partnership could weaken both regimes’ resilience to sanctions but may also escalate confrontations with U.S. interests in Latin America.

As the conflict unfolds, Venezuela’s unwavering support for Iran underscores the cross-continental nature of their alliance, which continues to challenge U.S. foreign policy and regional security dynamics.