Maduro seeks Russian, Chinese, and Iranian military aid amid US buildup

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has reached out to Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran in a bid to strengthen his country’s military capacity amid a growing U.S. presence in the Caribbean. Internal U.S. intelligence documents reported by The Washington Post indicate that Caracas is seeking new defense partnerships to rebuild its air and radar systems and to potentially acquire missile technology.

Letters to Putin and Xi signal deepening alliances

According to the leaked records, Maduro sent formal letters to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier this month. In his message to Putin, delivered by Transport Minister Ramón Celestino Velásquez during a visit to Moscow, Maduro reportedly asked for support to repair Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30MK2 fighter jets, overhaul engines and radars, and provide missile components. He also sought a three-year financing plan through Rostec, Russia’s state defense firm.

A separate letter to Xi Jinping called for “expanded military cooperation” in light of increasing U.S.-Venezuela tensions. Maduro urged Beijing to accelerate the production and delivery of radar detection systems, arguing that U.S. actions in the Caribbean threaten not only Venezuela but also China’s geopolitical interests.

Military cooperation with Iran expands

The same U.S. documents suggest that Venezuela has intensified its defense ties with Iran. Minister Velásquez reportedly arranged the delivery of drones and other surveillance equipment from Tehran, including “passive detection systems” and “GPS jammers.” Venezuelan officials allegedly requested long-range drones capable of reaching up to 1,000 kilometers, reflecting their intent to upgrade reconnaissance and defensive operations.

U.S. operations in the Caribbean heighten pressure

Washington has carried out multiple strikes against what it calls “drug-trafficking vessels” leaving Venezuelan waters, killing at least 61 people since September. The U.S. has not provided public evidence for these claims, while Maduro has denounced them as “acts of aggression.” Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed “serious concern” over the growing U.S. presence in the region, emphasizing that Venezuela’s sovereignty must be respected under international law.

Venezuela’s aging arsenal and modernization efforts

Despite years of economic hardship, Maduro continues to focus on military upgrades. Defense experts note that most of Venezuela’s Russian-made aircraft and missile systems have become outdated, with fewer than five Sukhoi jets believed to be operational by 2018. Still, Maduro recently announced the nationwide deployment of 5,000 Russian-manufactured Igla-S portable air-defense systems, signaling his determination to reinforce Venezuela’s defenses even under sanctions.