The 42 new agreements signed between Venezuela and Russia on 28 November 2025 provide a comprehensive diplomatic framework aimed at further advancing the two countries’ long-standing strategic cooperation.[i] Despite being held virtually, the efficiency and warmth of the XIXth High-Level Intergovernmental Commission (CIAN) meeting were particularly emphasised by the parties; it was stated that the discussions progressed in an atmosphere of ‘friendship and mutual respect’. This situation demonstrated that the institutionalised dialogue mechanisms between the two countries are functioning strongly.
The 42 agreements in question updated cooperation in a wide range of areas, including health, science, transport, economic development and the service sector, thus creating a new roadmap in line with the two countries’ 2030 plans. The statement by Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez that the documents were ‘immediately applicable’ showed that the cooperation was designed not only at a declarative level but also to produce practical results. The Russian side’s statement that the talks were ‘productive’ revealed that mutual expectations coincided and that a positive perspective for the future had been outlined. [ii]
Agreements in the field of health have been one of the most noteworthy components of the cooperation package. In particular, steps taken towards the joint development and production of vaccines targeting different types of cancer have enabled the complementary use of the scientific capacities of both countries. Such an initiative has both strengthened public health policies and demonstrated that the Venezuela-Russia partnership has entered a new phase in the field of innovation. The coordination mechanisms established between scientific institutions, laboratories and regulatory bodies have contributed to the development of biotechnological capacity in both countries in the long term.
Developments in the field of transport have had significant repercussions, particularly in terms of tourism and trade. The agreement reached to increase direct flights between Russia and Venezuela has not only facilitated cultural exchange between the citizens of the two countries, but has also enabled the strengthening of commercial ties. The expansion of direct transport routes has paved the way for faster and more effective deepening of economic relations.
The cooperation between the two countries is not new; over the past twenty years, joint projects have been carried out in many areas such as energy, defence, agriculture, education and science. With the official establishment of CIAN in 2008, this cooperation took on a more institutional character. The CIAN mechanism has ensured the sustainability of projects, even during periods marked by economic difficulties and international sanctions, providing the parties with a regular basis for evaluation and planning. Therefore, the signing of 42 new agreements is not merely a technical update; it also serves as confirmation of the continuity of a long-term partnership.
From Caracas’ perspective, relations with Russia have been an important part of a multifaceted foreign policy approach on the international stage. Venezuela’s efforts to expand its cooperation networks with different actors in the current global context have achieved tangible successes thanks to its strategic partnership with Moscow. Russia, meanwhile, has strengthened both its diplomatic presence and economic projection by deepening its relations with a reliable partner in Latin America. In this context, Venezuela has become a stable focal point in Russia’s regional outreach strategy.
The regular holding of CIAN meetings since 2019 has demonstrated that the two countries are not only signing agreements but also following up on their implementation processes. Thanks to this mechanism, the progress of projects initiated in previous years has been reviewed and updated in line with new conditions. The agreements signed at the 2025 meeting, which focused on areas such as innovation, health, services and economic integration, revealed that the parties had developed a forward-looking vision.
This update also coincided with a period shaped by increasing geopolitical tensions on a global scale. The United States’ recent increase in its military presence in areas close to Venezuelan waters in the Caribbean has added a new dimension to regional security discussions. This development has contributed to a renewed appreciation of the importance of multilateral dialogue mechanisms in international relations in Latin America. The steady continuation of cooperation between Venezuela and Russia during this process has signalled a strengthening of mutual trust between the two sides.
Amid ongoing negotiations on Ukraine in the international arena, the agreements signed between Caracas and Moscow have demonstrated that the two countries pursue independent yet compatible foreign policy objectives. Venezuela has adopted a stance that emphasises international law, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation, highlighting that joint projects with Russia are progressing within this framework. Russia has also continued its approach of developing peaceful diplomatic relations in Latin America.
New opportunities in the field of economic development have laid an important foundation for increasing trade volume between the two countries. Support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the sharing of agricultural technologies, the provision of funding for scientific projects, and data sharing in the energy sector have demonstrated that the agreements will also be effective at the micro level. This diversity shows that Venezuela and Russia aim to increase mutual interaction not only at the state level but also between their societies.
The areas of education and scientific cooperation encompassed elements such as joint university programmes, academic exchange projects and the organisation of scientific conferences. Such initiatives facilitated the inclusion of young researchers and academics in multilateral knowledge networks, contributing to the establishment of people-to-people ties between the two countries. In this respect, the agreements generated not only economic but also cultural and social gains.
Consequently, the 42 new agreements signed between Venezuela and Russia have ushered in a new era in relations between the two countries. The agreements aim to produce tangible gains in many areas, from health and science to transport, economic development and cultural cooperation. This cooperation, developed on the basis of mutual trust and friendship between the two countries, reflects the spirit of solidarity required by regional and global conditions and demonstrates the strengthening of the long-term strategic alignment between Caracas and Moscow. Thus, Venezuela-Russia relations continue to progress on a solid partnership foundation based on both past achievements and a shared vision for the future.
[i] Ruiz, Luis Alejandro. “Venezuela and Russia Strengthen Bilateral Agenda with the Signing of 42 New Agreements”, Guacamaya, 28 Nov. 2025, guacamayave.com/en/venezuela-and-russia-strengthen-bilateral-agenda-with-the-signing-of-42-new-agreements/, (Access Date: 30.11.2025).
[ii] Ibid.
