Russian Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev called the alleged U.S. abduction and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro “brazen,” “vile,” and “a disaster for international relations.” In his statement, he also predicted how the Venezuelan leader’s fate could unfold.
Maduro’s fate: two scenarios
Dmitry Medvedev outlined two main paths for Nicolás Maduro’s possible future. In his view, events will be resolved either peacefully or at the level of historic heroism:
- First scenario: The U.S. quietly releases Maduro under some pretext. However, Medvedev considers this highly unlikely.
- Second scenario: Maduro becomes the “Nelson Mandela of Latin America.” If he remains in prison for many years, his name will be placed alongside the region’s freedom fighters—Bolívar and Chávez. Medvedev believes that even if Trump does not pardon him, public pressure will force J.D. Vance or subsequent successors to do so.
Oil factor and military risk
According to the Russian politician, the motive behind this “abduction” is the desire to seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. However, he doubts the U.S. will launch a full-scale ground military operation in Venezuela:
“What if Venezuela’s current government doesn’t want to share oil with the Americans? Will Trump really start a bloody war? Congress won’t allow it so easily, because the Senate is already taking steps to curb Trump’s military appetite,” Medvedev says.
Maritime tensions and Russia’s response
Medvedev also commented on the U.S. detention of the tanker “Marinera” sailing under the Russian flag. He called the incident—after the vessel was seized on January 7 on accusations of transporting Venezuelan oil—“a violation of international maritime law.” Russian politicians are demanding tough and appropriate measures against the United States in response.
Court case and the Vatican’s failed mediation
Recall that on January 3, U.S. special forces conducted an operation in Caracas and took Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, to New York.
- Charges: narco-terrorism, smuggling, and illegal arms trafficking.
- Court: On January 5, Maduro pleaded not guilty. The next hearing is scheduled for March 17.
- Political asylum: It has emerged that in December the Vatican held secret talks with Washington about granting Maduro asylum in Russia, but the White House rejected the request.
Do you think Nicolás Maduro’s arrest could further escalate the political situation in Latin America?
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