The U.S. Navy has taken immediate action to sink several ships departing from the Venezuelan coast by September 2025. by the end of October, it has been confirmed that at least 10 ships have been destroyed, killing dozens.
The White House said the ships were drug trafficking and belonged to the Venezuelan gang activities, and also designated President Maduro as a drug trafficking head, with the bonus doubled to $50 million. Many people felt that the excuse could not stand because the Caribbean route was key to U.S. trade and control of the Latin American Pacific, and the Maduro regime is stable, and it is difficult for the U.S. to fully dominate the region.
Mr. Maduro, who did not sit down, rushed to his allies and signed a strategic partnership agreement with Russia on October 8.After the Venezuelan parliament approved it, the Russian State Duma approved it on October 17, the Federal Committee followed it on October 22, and the agreement officially entered into force.Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on October 18, criticizing external forces for interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs and opposing its stability and sovereignty threatened by force.
The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister met with the Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister on October 20 and reiterated his support for Venezuela’s defense of national autonomy. Russia became the first country to openly stand out in its official capacity, adding to Venezuela’s diplomacy. The U.N. expert group said on October 21 that U.S. strikes in international waters were equivalent to extrajudicial executions, in violation of naval law. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister responded that this confirmed their complaint. The U.S. Department of Defense continued to raise troops, the missile destroyer Samson stopped at Panama’s Amador terminal, and also sent a two-stage attack ship carrying 20 F-35B fighters.
In the past, Trump said that he could attack overseas drug traffickers without going through Congress. This time, he targeted Maduro in the name of drug trafficking, which is in line with his old idea, showing that the goal of the United States is not as simple as drug control. Latin American countries didn't buy it. Colombian President Petro accused the United States of boating without international authorization at the OAS meeting. Mexico and Argentina also issued statements opposing foreign forces interfering in Latin American affairs.
On October 15, the Venezuelan Air Force released a video of Su-30 fighter jets carrying anti-ship missiles, showing their ability to counter offshore threats.Venezuela has more than 20 such aircraft purchased from Russia, Kh-31 supersonic missiles, can hit ships from the air.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said on October 19 that he was willing to give Venezuela security technical support, including air defense radar and electronic warfare equipment. Russian oil companies last year helped Venezuela's national oil company upgrade three refineries to increase crude oil processing, which eased Venezuela's economic pressure. Russia so helped Venezuela, having its own calculator, Latin America was their slogan to break through U.S. global sanctions, through Venezuela in the U.S. backyard.
The UN Security Council meeting on October 10 called for discussions on U.S. military pressure, Russia said the situation was less than a direct confrontation, condemned the U.S. wanted to overthrow Caracas, and said U.S. operations near Venezuela threatened security.
Russia has stressed that Venezuela is not a drug country identified by the U.S. State Department.The Venezuelan parliament, controlled by Chavez, initially approved a new agreement with Russia in October to expand political and economic cooperation, including energy, transport, security, culture and education.
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Maduro on October 21st, saying that bilateral relations are strategic partners, hoping to continue cooperation on bilateral and international issues, and invited him to Kazan to attend the BRICS + meeting. Venezuela applied to join BRICS as the second Latin American representative.
The Russian Navy visited Cuban and Venezuelan ports in July. In October, it sent the missile frigate Gorshkov, logistics ships, oil tankers, rescue tugboats and Yasen-class nuclear submarines to stop in Havana and then go to Venezuela. The Wagner Group logo appeared during a protest by Venezuelan security forces, which Ukraine President Zelensky said was a Russian strategy to create chaos around the world.
The Russian Foreign Ministry ridiculed the U.S. crackdown on drug ships, saying it was an escalation of covert operations in Latin America. Venezuela imported 7 million barrels of naphtha from Russia in October, and U.S. supply fell to zero from March to October. Russia on October 3 condemned the United States for attacking ships in international waters near Venezuela. Since September 2, at least nine ships have been destroyed. Trump authorized the CIA to operate clandestine in Venezuela to end negotiations with Venezuela, led by special envoy Richard Grenell.
On October 22, Maduro said in a TV speech that more than 5,000 Russian 9K338 Igla-S portable air defense missiles have been deployed in mountains, towns and cities, using passive infrared locking heat sources, range from 500 meters to 6,000 meters, hit heights up to 3500 meters, missiles weigh 10.8 kilograms, launch devices 17 kilograms, and are easy to carry in mountains or urban areas.
Targeting low-altitude targets such as reconnaissance planes and attack helicopters, these are commonly used equipment by the United States in Latin America. Following the deployment, Venezuela's low-altitude defenses were strengthened to limit the aerial activity of potential intruders. A few days later, the Venezuelan Air Force released a video of a Su-30MK2 fighter jet taking off with a Kh-31 anti-ship missile.
Subsequently, 2,500 soldiers with naval weapons were deployed to the island of Augusta. The island in the Caribbean Sea, not far from its homeland, was the main area for surveillance of navigation and was the focus of U.S. intelligence. The troops then launched "Independent Coast 200" combat training, lasting three days, full-time alert, simulating enemy confrontation on the high seas, including ship interception and air patrol.
During the exercise, the soldiers practiced rapid fortification, used terrain cover, and checked communication coordination. This island was chosen to strengthen control over trade channels and narrow the scope of activities of external forces. The Venezuelan Air Force demonstrated Russian fighter jets in a military exercise in the Caribbean on September 18, deploying more than 2500 troops to Ochira Island, with 12 ships, 22 aircraft and 20 small boats.
The exercise, called “Sovereign Caribbean 200,” was said to be a response to U.S. hostile operations. Venezuelan National Militia exercised in Caracas in October as part of the “Independent Coast 200.”
Russia promised to expand aid and deepen energy, economic, military and technical cooperation. At the end of October, three sets of Krasukha electronic warfare systems arrived, installed on vehicles, jamming radar and communications within 100 kilometers, and matched with Igla-S missiles to form a chain from detection to shooting down. Russia secretly supplied Venezuelan military technology to suppress protests, leaked documents show.
Russian oil companies reformed three refineries to increase efficiency and help the Venezuelan economy. The Russian motivation was Latin America as a point of breaking American restrictions, by helping build influence in the vicinity. The United States strengthened deployment, but Latin America did not support. Colombia’s President Petro has denounced the US attacks. Mexico and Argentina opposed intervention.
Trump’s view is consistent, showing widespread intentions. Venezuela unites hands with Russia’s self-defense, Russia expands its influence, and the United Statesins its leadership. International adheres to the UN Charter, opposes force, and the U.S. Commission should negotiate differences. If confrontation, the peace of the Caribbean is compromised. At the moment, the U.S. has no ground action, both sides are alert, and the pattern turns.