Russia has accused the U.S. of threatening regional security after President Donald Trump ordered a naval build-up in the waters near Venezuela and struck a boat he said belonged to a drug cartel operating under the control of the government of President Nicolas Maduro.
Newsweek contacted the White House for comment by email after office hours.
Why It Matters
The Russian criticism of Trump’s actions comes as the U.S. president is trying to work with President Vladimir Putin to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
What To Know
Trump said 11 members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, designated a terrorist group by the U.S., were killed on Tuesday in a strike by the U.S. military on their boat, which he said took place in international waters as it trafficked illegal drugs to the U.S.
The strike is part of the Trump administration’s broader war against the flow of illicit drugs into the U.S., which it is seeking to end through aggressive military action against the cartels behind the trade.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Trump is gathering “incredible assets” for offensive action targeting drug cartels in Venezuela.
Relations between the U.S. and oil-rich Venezuela have been fraught for years. The U.S. has severed diplomatic relations with Venezuela, imposed sanctions on it and leveled accusations of extensive criminal activity.
Maduro and his government reject the U.S. accusations.
Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said the U.S. was exerting “blatant pressure” on Venezuela when asked for her response to the escalating situation between Washington and Caracas.
Russia is an ally of Venezuela.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) exchanges documents with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) prior to the meeting with President of Russia, May 7, 2025 in Moscow, Russia.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) exchanges documents with Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) prior to the meeting with President of Russia, May 7, 2025 in Moscow, Russia.
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“This is a special page in world history,” Zakharova told a press briefing at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia on Thursday, September 4. “What the West has been doing toward states that want to pursue their own independent policies is absolutely inadmissible.”
“Look at the sanctions pressure. Look at the endless manipulations regarding human rights,” Zakharova said. “The situation is being exaggerated and a threat to regional security is being created.”
Democratic countries including the U.S. recognize Edmundo González as the legitimate leader of Venezuela following last year’s elections in which Maduro claimed victory. As such, the White House portrays Maduro not as president, but as the leader of a “narco‑terror cartel.”
In a post on X on September 2, Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott called for the speedy passage of his proposed legislation called the Stop Maduro Act. Introduced in September 2024, it aims to push to increase the maximum reward amount from $15 million to $100 million for information leading to Maduro’s arrest and conviction.
What People Are Saying
Pete Hegseth in comments to Fox & Friends on Wednesday, said: “President Trump is willing to go on offense in ways that others have not been…We’ve got incredible assets and they are gathering in the region.”
What Happens Next
It is unlikely the U.S. will carry out a land invasion of Venezuela, with experts telling Newsweek that Trump was likely seeking to put on a show of force to try to get Maduro to take tougher action against cartels.