The Associated Press, citing a European intelligence official, reports that Russia has begun evacuating the families of its diplomats from Venezuela.
According to the report, the process which includes the evacuation of women and children began on Friday, December 19.
This comes as the United States has stepped up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Donald Trump issuing a new warning to his Venezuelan counterpart a day earlier.
Surrounded by senior U.S. officials, including Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth, Trump said he remains prepared to intensify his pressure campaign against the Maduro government a campaign that initially aimed to curb drug trafficking from Venezuela but has gradually taken on broader and more ambiguous dimensions.
Trump warned: “If he takes action and attempts to resist, it will be the last time he does so.”
The warning comes as the U.S. Coast Guard continues to pursue and seize sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers.
Following the seizure of the first tanker, Trump said the United States would impose a “blockade” on Venezuela. He has repeatedly stated that the countdown to the end of Maduro’s rule has begun.
Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security under whose authority the Coast Guard operates said on Monday that targeting the tankers sends a message worldwide: “The illegal activities Maduro is involved in are not tolerable. He must step aside, and we will defend our people.”
Russia’s Support for Venezuela
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has said that its embassy in Venezuela will not be evacuated, but did not comment on the evacuation of diplomats’ families.
Meanwhile, Yván Gil, Venezuela’s foreign minister, said on Monday that he held a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s support for Venezuela amid the seizure of sanctioned oil tankers.
