- Russia has begun evacuating its citizens from Venezuela, including tourists and business figures, via special flights organized by ATORUS (Association of Tour Operators). This suggests Moscow may be preparing for instability as U.S. military pressure increases in the region.
- Due to Venezuelan airspace restrictions amid rising U.S. tensions, Russian tour operators like Pegas Touristik rerouted flights to Cuba. Russians currently in Venezuela will complete their stays before being repatriated.
- The evacuation raises concerns that Russia may be distancing itself from Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has relied heavily on Russian military and diplomatic support. Experts suggest Moscow is unlikely to provide further aid beyond what it has already given.
- Leaked documents reveal Maduro pleaded with Russia and China for military aid—including radars, missiles and aircraft repairs—to counter U.S. aggression. However, neither nation has responded with significant support, likely due to their own economic and military constraints.
- Venezuelans interpret the evacuation as a sign that Russia may be preparing for Maduro's collapse. The lack of official details fuels speculation that Moscow is signaling Maduro's increasing isolation, possibly marking the beginning of a broader strategic withdrawal.
In a sudden and unexpected move, Russia has begun evacuating its citizens from Venezuela, signaling a potential shift in Moscow's long-standing support for embattled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The announcement, confirmed by Russia's Association of Tour Operators (ATORUS), has fueled speculation that the Kremlin is preparing for instability in Caracas as U.S. military pressure intensifies in the region.
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, ATORUS is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of tour operators in the Russian Federation. Established in 1995, ATORUS serves as a unifying body for tour operators, promoting their rights and providing support for the development of the Russian tourism industry.
ATORUS confirmed that special flights are being organized to repatriate Russian nationals—ranging from tourists to business figures—amid growing uncertainty over Venezuela's stability. The move comes despite a recent surge in Russian tourism to Venezuela, with over 6,000 visitors traveling to Margarita Island between August and November 2025 via direct charter flights from Moscow.
However, recent restrictions on Venezuelan airspace—imposed after escalating tensions with Washington—forced Russian tour operators like Pegas Touristik to cancel flights to Venezuela and reroute travelers to Cuba instead.
"We inform you that the Moscow-Porlamar flight on December 1 has been cancelled. A Moscow-Varadero flight is planned instead," PEGAS Touristik said in a message to its partner agencies, as announced by ATORUS.
Anna Podgornaya, CEO of Pegas Touristik, stated that Russians currently vacationing in Venezuela will complete their stays as scheduled before being repatriated on special flights.
Geopolitical implications: Is Russia abandoning Maduro?
The evacuation has raised concerns that Moscow may be reassessing its alliance with Maduro, who has relied heavily on Russian diplomatic and military support amid U.S. sanctions and internal unrest. Reports suggest the flights could include not only tourists but also officials and business figures linked to joint ventures, hinting at broader geopolitical unease.
Vladimir Rouvinski, an international relations expert at Icesi University, noted: "Russia isn't going to help Maduro beyond what they've already done."
This apparent distancing comes as the U.S. deploys 11 warships and 15,000 troops to the Caribbean, signaling a potential military escalation. The Trump administration has ramped up pressure on Venezuela over its ties to Iran, territorial disputes with Guyana and alleged harboring of criminal networks.
Maduro's desperate appeals to Russia and China
Leaked documents obtained by the Washington Post reveal that Maduro recently pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin for military aid—including defensive radars, aircraft repairs and missiles—to counter U.S. aggression. Similarly, he sought expanded military cooperation from China, which has provided Venezuela with over $30 billion in arms since 2000.
However, neither Moscow nor Beijing has responded with significant support, likely due to their own economic and military constraints. Russia, embroiled in its fourth year of war in Ukraine, has only sent two oil tankers to assist Venezuela's struggling energy sector—far from the robust backing Maduro hoped for.
Public reaction: A regime in crisis?
Within Venezuela, the evacuation order has sparked mixed reactions. Some citizens question its legitimacy, while others interpret it as a sign that even Russia—one of Maduro's staunchest allies—is preparing for his government's collapse.
The lack of official details—such as flight schedules, departure points and final destinations—has only deepened speculation. Analysts suggest the Kremlin may be sending a deliberate message: that Maduro's regime is increasingly isolated and vulnerable.
For now, Russian officials frame the evacuation as a temporary security measure. However, geopolitical analysts warn it could mark the beginning of a broader strategic withdrawal—one that leaves Maduro with dwindling international support as U.S. pressure mounts.
As tensions escalate, the world watches whether Venezuela's socialist regime can survive without its traditional allies—or if Moscow's evacuation signals the beginning of the end for Maduro's rule.
Watch the video below about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro telling Russian President Vladimir Putin that Venezuela admires Russia's military victories in the fight against Nazism and fascism.
This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.
Sources include:
TheEconomicTmes.indiatimes.com
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