Russia Criticizes U.S. Strike On Vessel Off Venezuelan Coast: 'Far-Reaching Consequences For The Region'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized the U.S.'s strike on a vessel off the Venezuelan coast, expressing "serious concern about Washington's escalating actions in the Caribbean Sea that are fraught with far-reaching consequences for the region."

"Russia strongly condemns the new strike by the U.S. armed forces on October 3 on a ship in international waters near Venezuela," Lavrov said in a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil, Reuters reported.

Lavrov went on to say that there is "no certainty that the United States will not in any way link its declared war against drug cartels with the situation in Haiti".

Recent reports have noted escalating signals, including President Donald Trump ending all diplomatic outreach to Venezuela, instructing envoy Richard Grenell to cease all such efforts.

The New York Times reported that the decision took place as Trump grows frustrated with authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro's reluctance to relinquish power. He is alsofrustrated that Maduro keeps rejecting any ties with drug cartels. Officials told the outlet that the administration has drawn up multiple military plans for an eventual escalation.

So far, the U.S. military has conducted at least four strikes on vessels it claimed were trafficking drugs that would ultimately end up in the U.S. However, some of the new plans could also seek the ousting of Maduro, the outlet added.

Top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have called Maduro an illegitimate leader, and some lawmakers with close ties with the Venezuelan community have been hinting at regime change in the country.

A White House official told the New York Times that Trump is prepared to use "every element of American power" to stop drugs from entering the country. In this context, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that those who are north of Venezuela and intend to traffic drugs into the U.S. will be considered a legitimate target by the U.S. military.

Speaking to Fox News, Hegseth claimed that, before carrying out the strikes, the U.S. confirms "where they come from, who they work for, what they transport, how many people are on that ship."

"That's why the are clean and legitimate attacks in defense of the homeland. And we hope they deter these foreign terrorist organizations from doing so, because the American people deserve to be defended," Hegseth added.