A senior Russian diplomat has declared that Venezuela has not asked Moscow for military assistance amid its deepening political crisis — pushing back against speculation of a Syria-style intervention.
Alexander Shchetinin, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin America department, told reporters that comparisons between Venezuela and Syria are misguided, insisting there is a “big difference” between the two situations, though he declined to elaborate.
Shchetinin also issued a sharp warning to Washington:
The U.S., he said, must stop urging Venezuela’s military to abandon President Nicolás Maduro, calling such pressure “unthinkable interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign nation.”
The comments underscore Russia’s continued political backing of Maduro, even as the country faces mass protests, economic collapse, and an emboldened opposition movement led by Juan Guaidó.
While Moscow downplays any military intentions, the message to the U.S. is clear — stay out of Venezuela’s internal power struggle.