The Russian president said he was confident that, under Maduro’s leadership, Venezuela “will overcome all trials with dignity and defend its legitimate interests in these turbulent times.” These pronouncements from China come amid a context of tension between Venezuela and the United States over the military deployment ordered by Donald Trump in the Caribbean Sea under the argument of combating drug trafficking, but which Maduro considers an attempt to remove him from power. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning on Friday urging commercial flights to “exercise extreme caution” when flying over Venezuela and the southern Caribbean due to what it considers “a potentially dangerous situation in the region,” a warning that coincides with Washington’s large military deployment in the area to pressure the Maduro government. Xi rejected the “interference” of “external forces” in the internal affairs of the South American country “under any pretext” and stressed that “China and Venezuela are close friends, dear brothers and good partners.” In a letter sent by the Russian Embassy in Caracas to Maduro, also on the eve of the Chavista leader’s birthday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his commitment to Venezuela in their strategic relationship. “Without a doubt, we will continue our close joint work for the ongoing strengthening of the strategic partnership between Moscow and Caracas,” Putin said in the letter, which was shared this Saturday by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister. Chinese President Xi Jinping said he will continue to support Venezuela in “safeguarding its sovereignty and national security, national dignity and social stability” in a letter sent to President Nicolás Maduro on the eve of his birthday and shared by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil. The FAA issued a statement warning “of a potentially dangerous situation in the Maiquetía flight information region,” which corresponds to airspace controlled by Venezuela, and also includes parts of the southern and eastern Caribbean.
