Concern grips Russians as they face the prospect of severe food shortages following the sudden capture of Nicolas Maduro, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
A global stir was caused by the decisive action taken by Donald Trump, who orchestrated a highly effective operation to swiftly remove Maduro and his spouse from Venezuela in the early hours of the day. The duo is set to be prosecuted in the United States on various charges, including drug trafficking.
While the Trump administration celebrated the operation’s success, apprehension mounted in Russia over the implications of losing their key ally in South America. The Kremlin condemned Maduro’s ousting as an “act of armed aggression” and expressed deep unease.
Anxiety has also spread beyond the Kremlin, permeating online discussions where Russian citizens have voiced worries about potential collapses in oil prices that could harm the nation’s economy heavily reliant on energy exports. Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska warned that American control of Venezuelan oil could spell significant adverse effects.
In a message on his Telegram channel, he remarked, “If our American ‘partners’ gain access to Venezuela’s oil reserves (in addition to those in Guyana), they would dominate over half of the global oil reserves.”
He added, “It seems their objective is to prevent our oil prices from exceeding $50 (£37) per barrel. This would pose challenges for our state-controlled economy to maintain the status quo.”
A supporter of the Kremlin’s military expressed strong disapproval, labeling the situation a “nightmare” and even accusing Russia’s leaders of betrayal. “This is a serious situation,” the blogger conveyed, according to the Daily Express.
The military supporter further warned, “It may soon become unprofitable for us to extract oil. Within a few months, we could face severe food shortages. This marks a decisive blow to our entire economy.
“They are likely to drive oil prices below sustainable levels and dominate the market entirely. This is a catastrophic scenario. We may lose internet access, be burdened with exorbitant taxes, all while clinging to our oil reserves. […] The Americans have extended their dominance for generations to come, whereas our prospects seem bleak in the near future.”
Trump declared that the U.S. would assume control of governing Venezuela “until a safe, proper, and deliberate transition can be arranged.” He emphasized, “We cannot risk letting Venezuela fall into the hands of parties not acting in the best interests of the Venezuelan people. We are taking charge for now and will continue until a suitable transition is in place. Essentially, we will oversee the operations…”
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