Venezuela on track for "powerful military cooperation" with Russia

Venezuela plans to expand military cooperation with Russia with the aim of "defending peace and sovereignty," announced Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday.

This week, Venezuela's Minister of Petroleum, Tarek El Aissami, met with Russian Vice-President Yuri Borisov in Caracas. In the meeting, he expressed the wish for both nations to expand their military cooperation, which is currently supported by 20 agreements in different areas.

While Russia is criticized for the military buildup on the Ukrainian border, Putin is taking the opportunity to expand his horizons into the southern hemisphere of the American continent.

"We have had a fruitful working meeting. We have reviewed the different areas of bilateral cooperation with the Russian Federation. This meeting has allowed us to continue to evaluate and widen the horizons of this virtuous cooperation," said El Aissami.

He assured that Russia "is a sign of brotherhood in the world, and that is why from Venezuela we ratify our support, and we will continue to deepen this relationship. It is an exemplary relationship of a new world order, of a new possible world that we will continue forging from Venezuela."

Maduro reaffirmed that Venezuela is on "the path of a powerful military cooperation" with Russia.

"We have confirmed the path of powerful military cooperation between Russia and Venezuela for the defense of peace, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," he said.

"We are going to increase all preparation, training, and cooperation plans with a world military power such as Russia. Our ties are deep and historic," said the Venezuelan leader.