Negotiation practice: Venezuela is ready to accept Russian mediation in dialogue with the United States

Venezuela has expanded its high-alert regime, and on October 14, the Independence 200 plan was activated in three more states of the republic, including control over important strategic facilities. Caracas fears attacks from the United States, which has been increasing its military presence in the Caribbean for several weeks. And, as Izvestia found out, Venezuela is ready to accept mediation assistance from the Russian Federation. Moscow may consider such an option. Russia strongly condemns the attacks by the US Air Force on ships in international waters near Venezuela.

Venezuela is preparing for conflict

Caracas continues to mobilize amid growing threats of attack from the United States. On October 14, President of the Bolivarian Republic Nicolas Maduro announced the launch of Operation Independence 200 in three states: Nueva Esparta, Sucre and Delta Amacuro. A few days earlier, the plan was launched in the states of Carabobo, Anzoategui, Monagas and Bolivar.

The Venezuelan leader claims that the purpose of the mobilization is "to improve the national and military mechanism to strengthen an active national movement in favor of peace, sovereignty and the right to the future of Venezuela."

According to the authorities, the military, police and the people themselves are equally involved in the operation. The plan includes the protection of strategic facilities (oil and petrochemical plants, gas stations and pipelines), as well as patrols, exploration and special measures in maritime, river and border regions.

Meanwhile, the United States continues to pull its military potential to the shores of the Latin American state. According to the Venezuelan side, at least eight military vessels and a nuclear submarine are currently in the Caribbean. All this is in addition to several reconnaissance aircraft and at least five F-35 fighter jets that have been stationed at the base in Puerto Rico. Tensions have been rising since the end of August, when Donald Trump signed a decree that effectively authorizes the use of military force against Latin American drug traffickers.

At least 21 people have died since the start of the American operation, including Colombian citizens, according to the country's president, Gustavo Petro. In his social media, he stated that a new conflict zone had opened in the Caribbean.

— Throughout this time, the United States has been trying to create a sense of threat against Venezuela, but every day it becomes more difficult to believe in this threat. In 2019, they already tried to carry out something similar, including sending warships to the Caribbean Sea so that the Venezuelan military, under pressure from this threat, would overthrow Maduro themselves and help bring about a change of power," Venezuelan political analyst Jesus Segias tells Izvestia.

All for a stop: The UN is trying to stop the escalation between the United States and Venezuela

Washington continues to pull soldiers and equipment to the Latin American country

At the same time, in early October, Donald Trump ordered the suspension of diplomatic dialogue with Venezuela. Caracas is open to continuing contacts with Washington to resolve differences, said the Latin American country's ambassador to Russia, Jesus Rafael Salazar Velazquez, responding to a question from Izvestia.

— Our President Nicolas Maduro has appointed a negotiator for dialogue with the United States, he has become the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez. He has always been open to direct dialogue with the United States," the diplomat stressed.

He also noted that his country would be ready to accept mediation efforts from the Russian Federation to resolve the crisis in relations with the United States.

— Russia has always been a friendly country that wishes peace and progress to Venezuela. Any assistance that may come from Russia will be highly appreciated and positively received by our country and its authorities," the ambassador said.

Moscow is ready to consider this possibility.

"Russia will treat the appeals of its partners with due attention and respect if they are received," the Russian Embassy in Caracas told Izvestia.

The Russian diplomatic mission also drew attention to the fact that Moscow strongly condemns the attacks by the US Air Force on ships in international waters near Venezuela.

— Such escalatory actions are fraught with far-reaching consequences for the entire region. Relations between Russia and Venezuela, including trade and economic relations, continue to develop steadily. We express our full support and solidarity with the leadership and people of Venezuela in the current situation and are ready for further close cooperation within the framework of the bilateral strategic partnership," the embassy said.

Drug trafficking from Venezuela to the USA

The problem of drug trafficking, under the pretext of combating which the United States is pursuing an aggressive policy towards Venezuela, is not supported by sufficient evidence, American experts say.

— There was no evidence of Venezuela's involvement in drug trafficking in the United States, especially fentanyl, which Trump called the main threat to American drug users. Venezuela does not produce or export fentanyl and is not considered a major player in the Latin American drug trade, as only a small amount of Colombian cocaine passes through the country, American political analyst Peter Kuznik told Izvestia.

Indeed, according to the relevant UN office, 87% of drugs produced in Colombia are sent to the United States and Europe via the Pacific Ocean, bypassing Venezuela. 8% are exported to the United States from the Caribbean coast by Colombia itself, and only 5% pass through the territory of the Bolivarian Republic.

— The actions of the United States seem to be an inadequate response to the alleged threat of drug trafficking for several reasons. First of all, there is no irrefutable evidence that it really is a problem. Secondly, the US military operations were carried out in international waters, which, in fact, is illegal. Finally, they are disproportionate and inadequate, as they are allegedly directed against fishing vessels that do not have any dangerous ammunition on board. In addition, the United States is taking these actions without any evidence of the presence of any drugs on board the attacked ships," said Khan, a professor at Wayne University in Detroit, told Izvestia.

Cartel verdict: The United States and Venezuela are on the verge of a military clash

What weapons can Washington use and how will Caracas defend itself?

The expert argues that, in addition to the political reasons for the US operation, which boil down to the need to oust Maduro (Washington does not recognize his victory in last year's presidential election), there are also economic ones.

— Venezuela is a key oil producer, and the United States has long sought to neutralize its regional and global influence as an exporter. It started back in the days of Hugo Chavez, the president of Venezuela in the 2000s. This shows that the hostility of the United States towards Caracas preceded the current declared attention to the drug problem," the expert believes.

According to 2020 data, Venezuela had 18% of the world's total oil resources, followed by Saudi Arabia with 17%. In addition, Caracas ranks fourth in the world in terms of natural gas reserves, and second in terms of gold, in addition to other important natural resources such as iron, coal, diamonds, and bauxite.

At the same time, Venezuela's conflict is brewing not only with the United States, but also with the collective West as a whole. Recently, the authorities of the republic ordered the closure of their embassies in Norway and Australia. This should give greater dynamism to relations with the Global South. In addition, neither Norway nor Australia have embassies in Caracas. It is noteworthy that the decision was made after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in Oslo to the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, Maria Corina Machado.