Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Dec. 11, 2025, between 3:17 PM and 3:46 PM UTC, the Kremlin announced via X posts by @AlertaNews24 and TASS. Putin expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and confirmed support for Maduro's government. The Kremlin reported the call as occurring now, with Putin voicing support amid Venezuela's ongoing political crisis, according to the X post at https://x.com/AlertaNews24/status/1999139374856859698 and TASS coverage shared in the 29-minute reporting window. In related U.S. military developments, two U.S. Air Force Dash 8 aircraft (BAT91, BAT86, N911AH, N986HA) arrived from Curacao and are resting at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad for Operation Southern Spear, as reported by @vickrampersad on X at https://x.com/vickrampersad/status/1999091895792996684 during this period. Additionally, U.S. Southern Command announced in Miami that Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus will assume command on Dec. 12, 2025, succeeding Adm. Alvin Holsey, who retired due to legal concerns over boat strikes, according to an X post by @SA_Defensa citing @usairforce and @Southcom at https://x.com/SA_Defensa/status/1999131181267243230. This Putin-Maduro call follows earlier statements today, including Colombia's Foreign Minister indicating potential asylum for Maduro and Norwegian Nobel Committee President Jorgen Watne Frydnes holding the regime responsible for a peaceful power transition, as reported in prior coverage.
