Venezuela situation could raise tensions between Russia and US, analyst says

The U.S. seized two Venezuela-linked oil tankers in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday (January 7), one sailing under Russia's flag, as part of President Donald Trump's aggressive push to dictate oil flows in the Americas and force Venezuela's socialist government to become an ally.

After capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a Saturday (January 3) military raid on Caracas, the U.S. is escalating its blockade of vessels that are under sanctions and going to and from the South American country, a member of the OPEC oil producers group.

China, Russia and leftist allies of Venezuela have all denounced the U.S. attack to capture Maduro, in which dozens of Venezuelans were killed.

For Russia, the ongoing war with Ukraine remains more important, but the situation in Venezuela could raise tensions between Russia and the U.S., Edmund Duckwitz, who served as German ambassador to Venezuela during Hugo Chavez’ presidency and as ambassador and permanent representative to NATO and the European Union, told Reuters.

Trump’s threats to invade Greenland would “change the picture” and create a conflict within NATO, Duckwitz said.

“The Europeans have to finally find their own way to define their military strength and to be less dependent on the United States,” the diplomat added.

In the wake of the U.S. attack on Venezuela, the Mexican government has found itself traversing the most delicate balancing act since President Donald Trump began his second term: strongly condemning the operation while doubling down on bilateral cooperation lest Mexico find itself in Trump’s crosshairs next.

"I hope that in the end, the Mexican and the U.S. government will find a common position how to deal with this problem. But perhaps in case the Mexican authorities are not able to handle it, they might in the end depend on more support from the United States," Duckwitz said.

Production: Geraldine Downer, Eva Weininger/Reuters