Russian Committee Formed to Aid Maduro’s Release
The Russian Embassy in Caracas revealed on Wednesday that a group of communist members from Russia’s State Duma has created a committee dedicated to securing the “liberation” of Nicolás Maduro, the ousted Venezuelan socialist leader, and his wife, Cilia Flores.
This initiative, launched by the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF), aims to “fight” for the couple’s release. The committee consists of 27 members, and it was announced by CPRF Vice-President Dmitri Novikov during a press conference in Moscow.
In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, Novikov expressed the group’s commitment to Maduro’s cause, emphasizing a historical context of success in such struggles.
Nicolás Maduro has been in power for nearly 13 years, having been appointed by the late Hugo Chávez in late 2012. His administration has faced accusations of ongoing corruption and unfair election practices. Notably, U.S. authorities have been pursuing him for various drug-related terrorism charges.
On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Maduro and Cilia Flores during an operation in Caracas. Reportedly, they were taken from a compound at Fuerte Tiuna, Venezuela’s largest military facility, and are now being held in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center while awaiting trial.
Novikov did not clarify the committee’s exact plans for securing Maduro’s and Flores’ release but referenced historical examples of successful liberation movements, including Bulgaria’s Georgy Dimitrov and Nelson Mandela from South Africa. He suggested that these instances showcase perseverance in challenging situations.
He noted, “If you have honor, conscience, and principles, you will show solidarity and join the fight regardless of the odds.” There’s a sense of confidence there, yet some uncertainty too—like if there’s only a slim chance of success, one might hesitate. But, as he highlighted, true conviction requires steadfastness.
According to the Russian Embassy, Novikov reiterated that this committee will pursue its objectives “systematically and persistently,” believing that international solidarity could yield concrete outcomes even in tough circumstances.
For over two decades, Russia has allied closely with Venezuela’s socialist government, led now by “Deputy President” Delcy Rodriguez, providing arms and military support to bolster Maduro’s regime. This has often been used to intimidate the United States and deter any potential actions against his leadership.
Currently, the Russian government seems to be limited to formal statements of support without additional backing for the Venezuelan leadership.
In a recent interview, Sergei Melik Bagdasarov, Russia’s ambassador to Caracas, claimed that Maduro’s capture was a result of betrayal from individuals in Venezuela who collaborated with U.S. intelligence. He also suggested that Russia is aware of those individuals who have fled the country.
“It was probably betrayal, indecision, and a clear neglect of official responsibilities,” he asserted, pointing out that if everything were functioning normally, the Venezuelan forces could have caused significant resistance.
Melik Bagdasarov noted that no casualties occurred during the U.S. operation to apprehend Maduro, with damage being minimal. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Venezuelan military did not counter the U.S. actions, indicating a lack of adequate training and technology to utilize the missile systems provided by Russia.
Ahead of the committee’s formation, the Venezuelan embassy in Moscow reportedly facilitated an environment for supporters of Maduro to voice their solidarity. Venezuelan ambassador Jesús Salazar also called for a series of events on February 13 to campaign for the release of Maduro and Flores as part of a broader initiative.
