The Russian government has officially expressed full support for the appointment of Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela’s Interim President on Tuesday (January 6, 2026). Moscow said the move was aimed at preserving peace and stability in the country.

In an official statement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry strongly defended Venezuela’s sovereignty, warning that the nation is facing overt neocolonial threats and armed aggression from foreign powers. Russia stressed that Venezuela must be guaranteed the right to determine its own future without destructive external interference, according to Reuters.

Although the United States was not mentioned by name, the statement followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy special forces to arrest Nicolas Maduro last Saturday.

Moscow described the actions taken by the Rodriguez administration as legitimate self-defense by a sovereign state and reaffirmed its commitment to stand behind the new government amid international pressure. Russia also reiterated its unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and authorities, pledging continued support as needed.

Maduro’s removal is seen as a setback for Russia’s influence in Latin America, as he was the second close ally of Moscow to be ousted within a year, following Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. This development has sparked debate over a potential resurgence of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, a prospect viewed cautiously by Kremlin officials.

A senior Russian source warned about global power dynamics, stating that if Trump seeks to revive the Monroe Doctrine to reassert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, Russia likewise has the right to maintain its own sphere of influence.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin has remained cautious in his approach toward Donald Trump, particularly given Russia’s interest in ending the conflict in Ukraine and restoring bilateral economic ties. Putin has yet to comment personally on Maduro’s arrest, despite strong condemnation issued by his government.