Venezuela has a small but important group of states that support Nicolás Maduro’s government politically, economically, and sometimes militarily.
Core global allies
The most consistently cited major allies are:
- Russia, which provides military cooperation, energy investment, and diplomatic backing in international forums.
- China, which has extended large oil‑backed loans and remains a key economic and diplomatic partner.
- Iran, which maintains political, economic, and security ties and shares an anti‑U.S. stance with Caracas.
- Türkiye (Turkey), which has developed trade and financial links, including gold and other commercial deals.
Regional ideological partners
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Venezuela’s main sympathetic governments are:
- Cuba, a long‑time close ideological ally that provides political support and advisory assistance.
- Nicaragua, whose government backs Venezuela rhetorically and shares similar positions against U.S. pressure.
- Bolivia, which has generally aligned with Caracas within regional left‑wing blocs when governed by allied parties.
Notable shifts and limits
Recent reporting notes that some traditional partners such as Russia and China have shown caution about direct confrontation with the United States over Venezuela, offering more limited practical help than in the past. At the same time, Venezuela’s network of like‑minded states still gives it diplomatic cover in multilateral bodies and access to some financing and trade channels despite sanctions and isolation.
