Venezuelan FM’s Appeal to Moscow Dims Ceasefire Prospects, Heightens Air Strike Risk

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil declared to Russian state media today that the recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela has "upset peace in Latin America," a sharp diplomatic rebuke signaling continued resistance from Caracas following the January 3 capture of President Nicolás Maduro. The statement indicates that despite the successful extraction of the Venezuelan leader, the security environment remains highly volatile, significantly diminishing the likelihood of an immediate cessation of hostilities.

Gil’s comments to the RIA news agency follow "Operation Absolute Resolve," the U.S. campaign that utilized airstrikes on military installations around Caracas to facilitate the seizure of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on federal narcoterrorism charges. While President Trump has stated the U.S. intends to temporarily oversee Venezuela's governance and secure oil assets, the defiant response from remaining officials suggests a refusal to accept the imposed transition.

This diplomatic positioning is critical for observers monitoring the potential for further military engagement. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has characterized the operation as a "kidnapping" and an act of war, placing the Venezuelan armed forces on high alert. Gil’s appeal to Moscow—a key ally that has termed the U.S. action a violation of international law—reinforces the stance that the conflict is active. This entrenched opposition increases the probability of friction on the ground, raising the risk that U.S. forces may be compelled to utilize further air or drone assets to suppress resistance or protect the transition process in the coming days.

The involvement of Russia and Venezuela’s request for an urgent UN Security Council meeting further complicates the path toward any official ceasefire agreement. With the U.S. administration focused on a unilateral "management" strategy and Caracas declaring a "state of external disturbance," the diplomatic conditions required for a mutual, publicly announced halt in military engagement appear absent.

The current crisis marks the apex of an escalation that began in late 2025, involving increased U.S. naval presence and drone strikes on Venezuelan infrastructure alleged to be narcotics hubs. As the U.S. attempts to solidify control over the transition, the Foreign Minister’s rhetoric confirms that the political and military fallout of the operation is far from resolved.