Venezuela asked the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) for help to stop the “aggression” of the United Stateswhich has been carrying out an anti-drug operation in the Caribbean since August, according to a letter from the president Nicolas Maduro released this Sunday.
The US deployment includes destroyers, fighter jets, thousands of troops and the world’s largest aircraft carrier. Venezuela assures that the maneuvers are not intended to combat drug trafficking but to overthrow Maduro.
“I hope to count on your best efforts to contribute to stopping this aggression that is brewing with increasing force and seriously threatens the balance of the international energy market.”“says Maduro’s letter read by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez during an OPEC ministerial committee held virtually.
The Venezuelan president warns that the United States intends to overthrow him and seize the largest oil reserves in the world.
Maduro asks OPEC for help
He points out that military action from the north “puts in serious danger the stability of Venezuelan oil production and the world market.”|
The United States promotes a maritime and now aeronautical fence over Venezuela and its surroundingsafter President Donald Trump warned on Saturday that the Caribbean country’s airspace should be considered “completely closed.”
Last week Washington issued an air alert due to growing military activity in the area, complied with by six airlines that suspended their connections with Venezuela.
Suspended flights affect Russians
This Sunday the Russian travel agency Pegas Touristik, which frequently flew to the island of Nueva Esparta (north), also complied with the US alert and suspended its flights.
Since 2021, Venezuela and Russia have signed several tourism agreements, thanks to which Nueva Esparta has received thousands of Russian tourists who contribute to the island’s economy, mainly dependent on tourism.
For now, Venezuela maintains its two routes to Russia, an ally of Chavismo, with the state airline Conviasa.
The aeronautical authority previously revoked the concessions to operate in its country from the Spanish Iberia, the Portuguese TAP, the Colombian Avianca, the Colombian subsidiary of the Chilean-Brazilian Latam, the Brazilian GOL and the Turkish Turkish, all accused of “joining the terrorist actions” promoted by the United States.
Trump said Thursday that efforts to stop Venezuelan drug traffickers “on the ground” will begin “very soon,” although he has announced that he will speak with Maduro “at some point.”
