Iran-Venezuela pro-Putin alliance worries the EU

Brussels – Military cooperation, trade in crude oil, exchanges aimed at circumventing sanctions against Russia: the Iran-Venezuela alliance is causing significant concern in the European Parliament. The entire Spanish delegation of the People’s Party (EPP) group frowns on the increasingly close ties between the ayatollahs’ regime and Venezuela’s de facto president, and the European Commission must recognize that these fears are far from unfounded.

“The rapprochement between Caracas, Moscow, and Tehran is of concern,” acknowledges the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy of the EU, Kaja Kallas. The concern is the “potential impact on democratic stability in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region and on the EU-LAC partnership.” 

The European Union has already condemned Iran’s industrial and trade assistance to Russia for the supply of military technology and products, particularly drones. The novelty of this alliance is the South American extension to Venezuela, with the EU never recognizing Maduro as a legitimate president and the latter approving the establishment of an Iranian drone production base on domestic soil — in Venezuela.

The European Union intends to stop this. It is excessive to speak of an overthrow of Maduro’s government, but the twelve-star agenda includes delegitimization of the regime and erosion of consensus through support for opponents. “It is crucial to continue supporting the democratic aspirations of the Venezuelan people, to promote an enabling environment for civil society, and to uphold human rights,” Kallas said.  “Working together with key international and regional partners is essential,” she added.