Iran has publicly endorsed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, coinciding with the Trump administration’s escalation of military actions against drug trafficking networks in the Caribbean. The Iranian Foreign Ministry has warned of ‘dangerous repercussions’ from U.S. interventions, emphasizing that these operations threaten ‘international peace and security.’ Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Iván Gil Pinto, praised Iran’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Meanwhile, U.S. officials have ruled out direct military involvement but are intensifying efforts against Venezuelan-linked criminal enterprises. Analysts suggest that Iran’s backing of Maduro is a strategic measure to safeguard its influence in the region, as Venezuela serves as a crucial hub for Iranian operations in Latin America.
Former Venezuelan diplomat Isaias Medina III, who resigned in 2017 over human rights concerns under Maduro, criticized Iran’s alliance with Venezuela as a ‘calculated strategy’ that undermines international norms. He argued that the partnership serves mutual interests in crime and asymmetric warfare, posing a direct threat to U.S. security. Analyst Danny Citrinowicz of Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies added that Iran is ‘extremely worried’ about losing Venezuela as a strategic hub, highlighting its importance for regional operations. The recent assassination attempt on Israel’s ambassador in Mexico, linked to Iranian operatives in Venezuela, exemplifies this concern. Citrinowicz noted that Venezuela has long been Iran’s most significant foothold in Latin America, and its loss would severely impact Iran’s ability to expand its influence. Despite recent political shifts, Iran maintains ties with Cuba and Nicaragua, but Venezuela remains its most critical ally. The U.S. has launched several strikes against Venezuelan-linked drug trafficking vessels, aiming to disrupt maritime routes and combat criminal networks further.
President Donald Trump has indicated that the U.S. is willing to take decisive action against Venezuela’s criminal networks, stating he has ‘an iron-clad case’ to strike at narco-terrorist groups. While Trump has not ruled out the possibility of sending U.S. troops to the region, he has also emphasized the need to prevent the further expansion of criminal enterprises in Venezuela. American Families Against Cartel Terrorism (AmFACT) President Adriana Jones welcomed the U.S. State Department’s designation of Venezuela-based Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, calling it a clear demonstration of Washington’s resolve. Jones urged policymakers to extend the same designation to the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea, arguing that the designation is essential to prevent the continuation of these violent operations. Since September, the U.S. has launched at least 21 fatal strikes on boats allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking off Central and South America, including a recent strike on Sunday, as part of a broader campaign to disrupt maritime routes tied to Venezuelan criminal networks.
The U.S.-Venezuela conflict is not only a military and political standoff but also has significant financial implications. Venezuela’s economic instability and reliance on oil exports have made it a prime target for criminal networks, which exploit the country’s weak governance to launder money and trade narcotics. Iran’s economic engagement with Venezuela includes the provision of arms and military advisors, further entangling the two countries in a web of mutual interests and strategic advantages. The U.S. response, while primarily military, also includes financial and diplomatic measures aimed at isolating Venezuela’s criminal enterprises. These actions have the potential to shift the balance of power in the region, as both Iran and the U.S. seek to assert their influence over Venezuela’s strategic resources and geopolitical position.