Playing for the Republic: The United States is rocking the "color revolution" in Venezuela

Western sources' insinuations about the alleged imminent resignation of Nicolas Maduro are escalating the situation around Venezuela, and speculation in the spirit of "color revolutions" is beginning, the Russian embassy told Izvestia. At the same time, Moscow is unaware of the plans of the head of the Bolivarian Republic to leave office in 18 months. Similar information was previously disseminated by foreign media, calling it a condition for the United States to refuse to launch a ground operation in Venezuela. Meanwhile, most airlines cancel flights to the Latin American country, and travelers have to cross the border with Colombia. Planes from Russia to Venezuela are still flying normally, the embassy told Izvestia. The information about what is happening in the republic now and whether there is a risk of escalation is in the Izvestia article.

How is the situation in Venezuela developing against the background of the conflict with the United States

Over the past three months, the United States has attacked at least 23 ships in the Caribbean, killing at least 87 people. The White House insists that the boats were transporting drugs from Venezuela. Whereas Venezuela sees this as a provocation and a threat to the country's sovereignty.

Photo: REUTERS/US Navy

In the same context, Caracas evaluates reports of the alleged resignation of Nicolas Maduro in exchange for Washington's guarantees not to launch a ground operation against the cartels. Earlier, information appeared in the foreign press about his readiness to leave the post after 18 months. The United States, which does not recognize the results of the presidential elections in a Latin American country, is extremely interested in changing the head of state to a more convenient political figure for cooperation.

Deck consequences: what might an armed conflict between the United States and Venezuela look like?

The United States has concentrated an aircraft carrier armada off the coast of the Latin American country

— The Embassy is not aware of such plans [to leave the presidency]. The Venezuelans themselves regard such stuffing by Western sources as part of a "psychological war." This is exacerbating the situation around Venezuela, generating speculation threatening the internal order in the spirit of "color revolutions." It seems that the bet is on the international media picking up groundless rumors about this story, which in this case become indirect accomplices in the propaganda campaign against the legitimate government of the republic, the Russian Embassy in Caracas told Izvestia.

Photo: REUTERS/Gaby Oraa

Over the past few weeks, Donald Trump has been threatening to switch from attacking ships to a ground operation. At the same time, the American president's party members fear that attacks on Venezuela could negatively affect the results of the congressional elections next year. The Republicans still control both chambers, but with each drastic decision by Trump, the prospects of retaining them decrease. In addition, the president's party traditionally loses seats in midterm elections in the lower house.

— The White House still cannot sell the idea of a military operation to society: more than 70% of Americans are against it, according to the survey results. Even the improvised "Powell test tube" in the form of statements that fentanyl is being transported in boats sinking the Pentagon in the Caribbean does not help. This is a really deadly drug for the United States, but it is not produced in Venezuela, and it does not participate in its transit," explains Timur Almukov, an expert on Latin America.

Photo: REUTERS/US Marines

The expert continues: the outcome of a potential operation is unpredictable. Even the strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, which took place for the United States as a whole without serious consequences, caused resistance among prominent figures in the MAGA movement (meaning Trump's slogan Make America Great Again).

— Trump came to power with a promise to end wars, not start new ones. Any prolonged campaign in Venezuela, especially nearby, and not on the other side of the world, sharply contradicts this agenda," the expert emphasized.

Resignation percentage: Can Maduro resign amid US pressure

How likely is this scenario and what are the forecasts for Venezuela in this case?

Problems with flights in Venezuela

Meanwhile, the Venezuelan aviation industry has been the most affected by American threats. At the end of November, Donald Trump declared that the republic's airspace should be considered "completely closed." Around the same time, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a notice to pilots informing them of the risks of flying in the Venezuela area due to the deteriorating security situation and increased military activity in or around the country. It is valid from November 21, 2025 to February 19, 2026.

Photo: REUTERS/Enea Lebrun

After that, several international airlines announced the cancellation of their flights to the Bolivarian Republic. Among them, for example, Spanish Iberia, Portuguese TAP, Turkish Airlines, Latin American Avianca, Latam Colombia, Satena and Copa.

Prior to the American announcement, Venezuela hosted 105 international flights per week from 16 destinations. Now this number has decreased significantly, complicating plans, including for Venezuelan migrants who expected to return home for Christmas. Now, for example, the journey from Madrid (about half a million Venezuelans live in Spain) takes from 15 to 31 hours with transfers mainly in Colombia, and one-way tickets at the end of December cost about 1.5 thousand euros.

Having no particular alternatives, those wishing to enter Venezuela began to use the country's land border with Colombia more often. Some airlines have even increased the number of their scheduled flights to airports in the neighboring country in order to meet the demand.

Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Eduardo Ramirez

As for flights between Russia and Venezuela, the carriers do not plan to put flights on pause.

— So far, we know about one flight in which the Russians were confronted with the fact of changing the route on the eve of departure. We have reviewed the statements about the changes in the flight program of the Russian airline. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has not made any comments regarding Venezuela's airspace, so international flights to this country continue to be operated, the embassy confirmed to Izvestia.

Russian tourists are also not worried about the difficult geopolitical situation in Venezuela. Tour operators do not record cancellations of tours to this country. Moreover, against the background of falling prices, Russians have become more active in planning their holidays in Venezuela. Currently, an 11-day trip for two with accommodation in a four- or five-star hotel will cost about 239 thousand rubles, despite the fact that last month a similar tour cost about 320 thousand.

Photo: Global Look Press/Wolfgang Diederich

In general, Moscow has repeatedly expressed its support for Caracas, condemning threats to launch a military operation, as well as increased attacks on ships. Venezuela remains a reliable partner and ally of Russia in Latin America and in the world as a whole, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko stressed at the end of November.