Venezuela and Russia strengthened their alliance by signing agreements on intelligence, counter-espionage, and energy cooperation during Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko's visit to Caracas. Chernyshenko expressed Russia's readiness to provide Venezuela's military with advanced weaponry and equipment, according to Venezuelan state television.
The agreements cover joint efforts in intelligence and counter-espionage, the utilization of drones, and petroleum exploration technology. This collaboration builds on long-standing ties between the two nations, which began under former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s anti-U.S. stance and continue under President Nicolas Maduro, who has supported Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia remains one of the few countries backing Maduro's recent claim of re-election, while the U.S. and several Latin American nations support opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, citing discrepancies in reported election results. Venezuela, with the largest proven oil reserves globally, has seen its production plummet from over three million barrels per day to roughly one million due to prolonged mismanagement and international sanctions.
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