Russia Expresses Solidarity with Venezuela on Its 215th Independence Anniversary

Dragon Media News Desk

As Venezuela marks the 215th anniversary of its independence amid a severe humanitarian crisis caused by a devastating earthquake, Russia has expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.

In a message issued on July 5, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described Venezuela’s Independence Day as a symbol of the courage, desire for freedom and national dignity of its people. The ministry said the Venezuelan people’s enduring tradition of overcoming difficult circumstances was especially important amid the current disaster.

Two powerful earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on June 24. According to a report issued by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as of the evening of July 4, at least 2,954 people had been killed, 16,592 injured and 6,462 rescued.

Venezuela’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude for the solidarity and assistance received from Russia, other countries, the United Nations and international organisations following the earthquake. According to Venezuelan officials, Russian President Vladimir Putin also sent a message of condolence and support in response to the disaster.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the earthquake and extended condolences to the affected families. The ministry said the humanitarian assistance sent by Russia demonstrated the historical friendship between the two countries and a strategic partnership that transcends political circumstances.

On July 5, 1811, Venezuela’s first National Congress approved a declaration separating the country from the Spanish monarchy and establishing an independent state. The declaration provided a formal political foundation for the struggle against Spanish rule and had a significant influence on independence movements across Latin America.

However, the war against Spanish rule continued for several years after the 1811 declaration. The movement led by Francisco de Miranda, Simón Bolívar and other independence leaders eventually accelerated the process of ending colonial rule in Venezuela and other parts of South America.

The Russian statement noted that the historical relationship between Russia and Venezuela dates back to the 18th century. According to the ministry, Francisco de Miranda, a forerunner of Venezuela’s independence movement, received the protection and support of Russian Empress Catherine II during his visit to Russia.

The Russian side also recalled the role played by former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez in the 20th and 21st centuries in defending national sovereignty, an independent foreign policy and a multipolar world order. Russia has described Chávez as a close friend of Moscow and a key figure in building the modern strategic relationship between the two countries.

Speaking at an event held in Moscow on July 3 to mark Venezuela’s Independence Day, Alexander Shchetinin, Special Representative of the Russian Foreign Minister and Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Latin American Department, said the world order was undergoing a profound and painful transformation.

“Today’s world order is passing through a complex and painful stage of fundamental change. As was the case two centuries ago, every new order is born through difficult struggle,” Shchetinin said. “In such circumstances, Russia remains firmly committed to its principled policy of developing constructive relations based on friendship and mutual benefit with the peoples of Latin America, particularly with fraternal Venezuela.”

He said Russia was focused on deepening cooperation with Venezuela across a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, trade, energy, science, technology, culture and humanitarian assistance.

Shchetinin expressed confidence that Moscow and Caracas would continue cooperating in international forums to strengthen the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter and advance their shared objective of building a just and multipolar world order.

Russia and Venezuela have supported an international system based on national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and equality among states. Both countries have opposed Western sanctions and unilateral pressure while presenting the construction of a multipolar world order as a shared foreign policy priority.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated the Venezuelan people on Independence Day and said Russia was prepared to continue providing assistance for rescue, recovery and reconstruction efforts following the earthquake.

“We wish the fraternal Venezuelan people strength, resilience and the swift restoration of peaceful life,” the Russian statement said. “As always, Russia stands ready to extend a helping hand.”