Caracas: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is turning to Russia, China, and Iran to bolster the nation's defense capabilities, as the country faces an increased US military presence in the Caribbean. According to internal US documents reported by The Washington Post, Maduro is seeking assistance for radar systems, aircraft repairs, and possibly missile supplies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Maduro's appeals to Moscow were conveyed in a letter addressed to President Vladimir Putin, which was to be delivered during a senior aide's visit to Moscow earlier this month. Additionally, Maduro prepared a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, seeking 'expanded military cooperation' in response to 'the escalation between the US and Venezuela,' as per the documents published Thursday by the newspaper. Maduro urged Beijing to expedite the production of radar detection systems by Chinese firms to enhance Venezuela's defenses.

The US documents further reveal that, in his correspondence, Maduro framed the seriousness of perceived US aggression in the Caribbean, suggesting that US military action against Venezuela could be viewed as action against China due to their shared ideology. The documents also disclosed that Venezuelan Transport Minister Ramon Celestino Velasquez arranged a recent shipment of military gear and drones from Iran, planning a visit to discuss Venezuela's need for 'passive detection equipment,' 'GPS scramblers,' and 'drones with a 1,000 km [600 mile] range.'

The growing US military presence in the Caribbean represents one of the most significant challenges for Maduro since he assumed office in 2013. Washington has conducted more than a dozen strikes on what it claims are drug-trafficking vessels departing Venezuelan waters, resulting in 61 fatalities since September. However, the US has not publicly provided evidence to support its drug-trafficking allegations, which Maduro has consistently denied.

In early October, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed 'serious concern' over the escalating US activities in the Caribbean Sea during a call with Venezuela's foreign minister. Furthermore, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscow's respect for Venezuela's sovereignty and emphasized that the matter should be resolved in accordance with 'international law.'

Later in October, Velasquez visited Moscow for discussions with his Russian counterpart, a visit confirmed by the Russian Transport Ministry. Documents obtained by the newspaper indicate Velasquez was also responsible for delivering Maduro's letter to Putin. In his message, Maduro requested Russian assistance to strengthen Venezuela's air defenses, including the restoration of several Russian-made Sukhoi Su-20MK2 aircraft. He sought support for overhauling eight engines and five radars in Russia, obtaining 14 sets of Russian missiles, and unspecified 'logistical support.'

According to US records, Maduro emphasized the importance of Russian-made Sukhoi jets as a critical deterrent for Venezuela and requested a 'medium-term financing plan of three years' through Rostec, though no specific amount was mentioned. Experts have noted that much of Venezuela's arsenal is outdated or non-functional, with a former Venezuelan officer stating that by 2018, fewer than five Russian-made Sukhoi jets were operational. The officer added that equipment acquired under Chavez, including Russian helicopters and missiles, is mostly outdated and poses little threat to the US. Despite this, Maduro claimed that Venezuela had deployed 5,000 Russian-made Igla-S portable air-defense systems nationwide this month.