Iran has reaffirmed its support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the Trump administration escalates military pressure in the region and intensifies its crackdown on criminal networks linked to the regime in Caracas. The strategic alliance between Iran and Venezuela is framed by Iran’s condemnation of U.S. operations, which it argues threaten international peace and security.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto welcomed Tehran’s backing, expressing gratitude for Iran’s solidarity with the Venezuelan people. Analysts suggest that Iran’s public support for Maduro is a calculated move to maintain its influence in Latin America, where Venezuela serves as a pivotal hub for the country’s regional operations. The U.S. has been targeting Venezuelan narco-terrorist groups, with President Trump hinting at the potential for military involvement, including the possibility of U.S. troops on the ground.
Critics argue that Iran’s collaboration with Maduro is driven by mutual interests in criminal enterprises, thus undermining international norms. Former Venezuelan diplomat Isaias Medina III pointed out that the partnership between Iran and Venezuela is not based on principled stands for ‘sovereign rights’ under the U.N. Charter but rather a strategic move serving mutual interests in criminal enterprise and asymmetric warfare, posing a direct and evolving threat to U.S. national security.
Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, highlighted the strategic importance of Venezuela to Iran, noting that losing Maduro would be a significant loss for Iran’s influence in the region. The U.S. has launched a series of strikes on vessels involved in narcotics trafficking, signaling a broader campaign to disrupt maritime routes tied to Venezuelan criminal networks.
AmFACT President Adriana Jones welcomed the U.S. designation of the Cartel de los Soles as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, emphasizing the administration’s resolve to combat drug and human trafficking networks. The designation is seen as a critical step in addressing the threat posed by these organizations and protecting American families from similar tragedies.