Iran and Venezuela Strengthen Ties Amid U.S. Crackdown on Cartels
In a significant geopolitical development, Iran has publicly aligned with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the Trump administration escalates its military actions against narcotics networks in the Caribbean and Latin America. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei warned of ‘dangerous repercussions’ from U.S. operations, casting them as a threat to global peace and security. This stance was promptly welcomed by Maduro’s government, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto thanking Iran for its ‘solidarity with the Venezuelan people.’
Analysts, however, highlight the strategic undercurrents of Iran’s support. Isaias Medina III, a former Venezuelan diplomat, criticized the alliance as a calculated partnership driven by mutual interests in criminal enterprise and asymmetric warfare, posing a direct threat to U.S. national security. The White House, under Trump, has not ruled out military options, citing Venezuela’s role in funneling drugs into the U.S.
Iran’s strategic interest in Latin America is further underscored by its historical presence in Venezuela, which has served as a critical hub for regional operations. While Iran has lost some allies in the region, Venezuela remains a vital strategic asset. Analyst Danny Citrinowicz noted that Iran’s influence in Venezuela enables its operations not only within the country but across Latin America, including recent incidents in Mexico linked to Iranian operatives.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has intensified its efforts to disrupt these criminal networks, including the designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Advocacy groups, like American Families Against Cartel Terrorism, are urging the administration to extend similar designations to other cartels, such as the Juárez Cartel, to ensure continued pressure on drug and human trafficking networks.