The Russian government has issued a formal statement calling on the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, citing reports of their alleged forced removal from Venezuela and current presence in U.S. territory.
The statement, released by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, frames the situation as a significant international incident. It expresses deep concern over what it describes as aggressive actions by the United States and warns of serious consequences for international law and state sovereignty.
A Statement of “Extreme Concern”
The Russian diplomatic response was prompted by emerging reports regarding the whereabouts of the Venezuelan leader. In its official communication, the Russian government stated it is “extremely concerned by reports” that President Maduro and his wife were forcibly taken out of Venezuela during what it termed “today’s aggressive actions by the US.”
The Ministry emphasized that if these reports are verified, such an act would represent a fundamental breach of established global norms. The statement asserts that forcibly removing a head of state from his country “would constitute a grave violation of sovereignty & international law.”
A Formal Call for Release
Following what it described as “confirmed reports” about the location of the Venezuelan president and first lady, Moscow’s position shifted from concern to a direct appeal. The Russian foreign ministry explicitly called on American authorities to change course.
“We strongly urge the US leadership to reconsider their position & release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his spouse,” the statement reads. This appeal underscores Russia’s recognition of Maduro’s 2018 election victory, a contest widely disputed by the United States, the European Union, and many other nations, which instead recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate interim president at the time.
The Russian statement, shared via its official channels including its Ministry of Foreign Affairs Telegram channel and its X (formerly Twitter) account, presents the situation as a clear-cut case of international wrongdoing, aligning firmly with the Venezuelan government’s narrative and challenging U.S. foreign policy actions in the region.
