Russia has condemned the United States for using what it called excessive military force during counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, saying the actions breach both U.S. and international law.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Saturday that Moscow "strongly condemns the use of excessive military force in the course of counter-narcotics operations," in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry.

She stressed that such actions violate both U.S. and international laws and criticised Washington’s recent campaign in the Caribbean. Since September, the United States has carried out more than a dozen strikes on what it described as drug-trafficking vessels leaving Venezuelan waters, killing at least 61 people. The U.S. has not provided evidence to support its claims, while Venezuela has rejected the allegations.

Zakharova also dismissed what she called "reports circulating in the U.S. media" about Russia’s cooperation with Venezuela. She noted that "bilateral relations between Moscow and Caracas are developing steadily within the framework of a strategic partnership, unaffected by external circumstances, and cover areas of mutual interest."

Reaffirming Moscow’s "firm support" for Venezuelan leadership in defending its national sovereignty, Zakharova said Russia "advocates maintaining Latin America and the Caribbean as a zone of peace."

"Steps must be taken to de-escalate tensions and to promote constructive solutions to existing problems in full respect of international law," she added.

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