Maduro Touts Stronger China and Russia Relations as U.S. Maintains Military Pressure in the Caribbean: ‘This Moment Has Strengthened Our Partnership’

Venezuela’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro emphasized deepening ties with China and Russia as the United States continues a large-scale military deployment in the Caribbean and formally designated the Cartel de los Soles, which it accuses Maduro and other top officials of leading, as a foreign terrorist organization. Speaking on state television, Maduro described Venezuela’s relationship with China as one of “deep, broad and stable trust.” He added that recent events have “strengthened our partnership,” saying: “These moments Venezuela has had to live through have demonstrated that the China-Venezuela relationship passes the test and allows us to deepen and strengthen cooperation…