President Vladimir Putin has conferred the Order of Friendship on a slate of Venezuelan officials, recognizing their roles in deepening bilateral ties between Russia and Venezuela. The recipients include the Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, along with four other senior figures from the Venezuelan government. The Armenian decree cited their significant contributions to expanding trade, economic collaboration, and financial cooperation between the two nations. Among those honored is the President of the Central Bank of Venezuela, Rodríguez, together with two Deputy Ministers of Economy, Finance and Foreign Trade, and Venezuela’s ambassador to the Russian Federation. Their recognition underscores the ongoing emphasis on strengthening Moscow-Caracas relations in multiple strategic sectors, from finance to international commerce.
Earlier remarks from Vyacheslav Volodin, the Chairman of the State Duma, indicated that a delegation of Russian deputies would travel to Venezuela to serve as international observers during the presidential elections in the Bolivarian Republic. This announcement reflects a pattern of reciprocal political engagement and oversight that accompanies the broader cooperation framework between the two countries. The plan for observers signals an interest in regional electoral processes and a willingness to participate in governance matters beyond purely economic interactions.
In another development, Moscow’s ambassador to Venezuela, Jesus Rafael Salazar Velazquez, made a statement on July 9 expressing that Venezuela would back any peaceful initiative aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine that also aligns with Russia’s interests and has the approval of Venezuelan authorities. This stance highlights a continuity of diplomatic messaging that ties regional stability to broader geopolitical considerations, while also signaling Venezuela’s desire to maintain constructive dialogue and coordination with major powers.
Additionally, remarks from the former President of Venezuela touched on the country’s prospective entry into BRICS, signaling continued interest in expanding its participation in regional development blocs and multilateral platforms. The conversation around BRICS membership reflects Venezuela’s broader strategy to diversify international partnerships and secure greater economic opportunities in a shifting global landscape.