Russia is warning Donald Trump that his military intervention in Venezuela could end in disaster and turn into a bloody nightmare. The Kremlin has longstanding political and economic interests in Venezuela, which are now under serious threat after Trump’s administration captured Nicolas Maduro in a bold raid.
Maduro, who faces trial in New York on charges of drugs and weapons offenses, was a key partner and ally for Vladimir Putin in Latin America. Russia had opened several joint ventures with Venezuela’s oil monopoly, PDVSA, and had just negotiated a new 15-year lease on two oil fields in November.
The Kremlin has accused the White House of committing “an act of armed aggression” and warned that Trump’s actions could lead to a “terrifying mix of Vietnam and Afghanistan”. Russia and China are expected to defend their interests, potentially through military intervention.
Andrey Baranov, a Russian commentator, suggests that the US will struggle to maintain control in Venezuela, citing the country’s dense jungles and skilled guerrilla warfare. He predicts that the US will garrison bases in large cities and oil fields, but ultimately flee.
