Russia Denies Evacuating Embassy Staff From Venezuela Amid U.S. Military Buildup, Warns Against Falling for 'Western Provocations'

Russia denied reports on Tuesday that it has begun evacuating staff from its embassy in Venezuela, pushing back against claims that Moscow is preparing for a further deterioration of the situation as the United States ramps up military pressure on Nicolás Maduro's regime.

The denial followed a report by The Associated Press citing an anonymous European intelligence official who said Russia had started withdrawing the families of its diplomats from Caracas last Friday.

The AP report said Russian officials privately described the situation in Venezuela in "very grim terms" as Washington intensified military operations and warnings directed at Caracas. Moscow remains one of Maduro's closest international allies and has repeatedly voiced opposition to U.S. actions in the Caribbean.

In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as false, urging the public to "be careful and don't fall for Western provocations," though it did not directly address whether diplomats' families had been relocated.

According to Moscow News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone on Monday with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil, expressing what Moscow described as its "full support" for Maduro's government and "serious concern" over escalating U.S. actions at sea. Gil condemned recent U.S. interceptions and strikes on vessels carrying Venezuelan oil, calling them "unlawful acts of piracy."

The denial by Russia's Foreign Ministry comes just days after Russian oil firm Petrolera Cyprus Limited, formerly linked to Rosneft, announced it would cease operations in Venezuela, citing sanctions and financial restrictions on Russia-linked energy entities.

U.S. officials have downplayed Moscow's support of the Maduro regime amid this context. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that Russia's backing of Maduro is "not a factor" in Washington's calculations, referring to the it as "rhetorical support."

Since September, U.S. forces have carried out strikes and seizures targeting vessels Washington alleges were involved in drug trafficking or sanctions evasion in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. According to families and officials, more than 100 people, including fishermen, have been killed in the operations.