Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf declared solidarity with Venezuela’s socialist regime during a visit to Caracas on Sunday, vowing to stand against “global arrogance” — a thinly veiled reference to the United States. The trip marks part of a broader Latin American tour, including stops in Cuba and Brazil, and participation in the Parliamentary Forum of the BRICS bloc.
Qalibaf’s meetings focused on boosting economic ties, promoting trade in national currencies, and bypassing U.S. sanctions through alternatives like the BRICS Pay system. The Iranian official stressed the importance of long-term strategic agreements, pushing for a free trade deal and joint ventures in science, telecommunications, and education. Venezuelan officials, including Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, expressed eagerness to eliminate trade barriers and deepen cooperation with Tehran.
The visit comes amid the Maduro regime’s ongoing economic collapse, increasing reliance on Iranian aid, and shared opposition to the United States. Iran has helped Venezuela with fuel shipments, refinery repairs, and reportedly even covering up environmental disasters caused by Iranian engineers. In return, Venezuela has gifted Iran land, infrastructure, and even supermarket chains once owned by private entrepreneurs.
The visit also reignited concerns over the growing influence of the Iran-proxy Hezbollah terrorist group in Latin America, following past reports that the Maduro regime provided Venezuelan passports to Hezbollah operatives.
Iran and Venezuela’s deepening partnership signals a bold defiance of U.S. sanctions and growing global instability. The two regimes, both long-time adversaries of the West, are ramping up economic and technological cooperation, with plans for new scientific centers, fiber-optic factories, and an Iranian-backed insurance system for ships and planes operating in Venezuela. This push also extends into cultural spheres, with new education initiatives aimed at strengthening ideological ties between the two nations.
Iran’s presence in Venezuela isn’t just symbolic; it reflects a broader strategy to entrench anti-Western influence in Latin America. With Iran’s formal entry into the BRICS bloc and Venezuela’s continued efforts to join, the two nations are poised to expand their economic reach while undermining U.S. interests. The Maduro regime’s growing dependence on Iranian aid, including refinery repairs and fuel shipments, underscores how Tehran is leveraging its resources to gain footholds far from the Middle East, while using alliances like this to evade sanctions and expand global influence.
