Russia urges US to avoid conflict with Venezuela

MOSCOW - Russia stands with Venezuela's leadership and calls on the US government to refrain from "sliding" into a full-scale conflict with Caracas, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Sunday.

Moscow views recent developments in Venezuela with deep concern, and tensions remain high and continue to grow. "This is primarily linked to Washington's desire to assert unquestioned dominance in the region, a trademark of the Trump administration," Ryabkov was quoted by TASS news agency as saying.

Ryabkov stressed that Russia maintains strong solidarity with Venezuela, referring to the recently concluded agreement on strategic partnership and cooperation between the two countries. "We support Venezuela, just as it supports us ... In this trying time, we stand with Caracas and its leadership shoulder to shoulder," Ryabkov said.

The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean Sea. The Pentagon has carried out at least 22 known strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean since Sept 2, killing more than 87 people aboard.