Iran is supporting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the Trump administration escalates military actions against criminal networks in the Caribbean and expands its crackdown on regimes in Caracas. Earlier this week, Iran condemned U.S. actions and publicly tied itself to Maduro, with Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei warning of ‘dangerous repercussions’ from U.S. military activity, according to Iran’s official news agency, IRNA. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto immediately welcomed Tehran’s backing, thanking Iran for its ‘solidarity with the Venezuelan people.’
Analysts suggest that Iran’s partnership with Maduro is not principled but a calculated strategy serving mutual interests in criminal enterprise and asymmetric warfare, posing a threat to U.S. national security. Former Venezuelan diplomat Isaias Medina III told Fox News Digital that Iran’s engagement with the Maduro regime centers on deepening military, criminal, and intelligence cooperation, disregarding international norms. When asked if he had ruled out military options, President Donald Trump said he ‘don’t rule out anything,’ emphasizing the need to ‘take care of Venezuela.’
Danny Citrinowicz, a senior fellow at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, stated that Iran is extremely worried about losing its main hub in Latin America. Losing Maduro would be a strategic loss for Iran, as Venezuela is a crucial hub for regional activities, including operations in Mexico. He highlighted an assassination attempt on Israel’s ambassador in Mexico linked to Iran’s Quds Force, illustrating how Venezuela serves as a staging ground for Iranian operations.
Citrinowicz noted that despite losing some allies, Iran remains influential through alliances with Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Iran is believed to provide military advisors and arms to the Venezuelan military, enabling its operations in the region. 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, urging policymakers to extend the same designation to the Juárez Cartel and its armed wing, La Línea.
Since September, the U.S. has launched at least 21 fatal strikes on vessels involved in narcotics trafficking off Central and South America as part of a broader campaign to disrupt maritime routes linked to Venezuelan criminal networks. These actions reflect a growing effort to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling activities facilitated by the Maduro regime.