Venezuela's President Maduro expresses grief over the demise of Iran's Ebrahim Raisi, referring to him as an 'unwavering ally' of Venezuela.
Mexico City, Mexico, May 20, 2024 (our website) - The news of the tragic demise of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi shook Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to his core, who extended his heartfelt condolences to the folks of Iran.
In a somber tone, Maduro expressed, "We've lost an admirable figure, an exceptional world leader, a fantastic human being, and a staunch defender of his people's sovereignty. Our unwavering friend has departed, leaving behind a void that'll be tough to fill."
The Iranian government announced a five-day mourning period following the horrifying accident involving Raisi's helicopter, which crashed under unfavorable weather conditions in the mountains bordering Azerbaijan. The unfortunate incident also claimed the life of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will serve as the interim president.
This distressing event unfolds amidst heightened tension in the region due to Israel's ongoing military campaign against Hamas, a Palestinian political-military organization believed to maintain close ties with Iran.
Hamas voiced its solidarity with Iran, stating, "We're confident that the Islamic Republic of Iran will overcome the implications of this devastating loss. The resilient Iranian people possess the institutions to navigate through this extreme crisis."
Latin American leaders echoed sympathies towards Iran, with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Bolivian President Luis Arce, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel expressing their sadness at Raisi's passing.
Initiated in 2021, Raisi made it a priority to forge stronger bonds with Latin American allies. In June the previous year, he embarked on a tour to Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba, where he penned numerous strategic agreements.
The partnership between Venezuela and Iran runs far deeper than conventional diplomacy. In a previous statement, Raisi asserted, "Relations between Iran and Venezuela aren't typical diplomatic ties. They are strategic."
This strategic alliance first blossomed under the leadership of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, who shared the ideology of fostering ties with other OPEC countries, especially Iran, based on their common opposition to U.S. imperialism.
Maduro paid a visit to Iran in 2022, where he solidified a 20-year cooperation agreement alongside Raisi. Since then, the duo has worked tirelessly to strengthen political, economic, and diplomatic ties. Iran even dispatched medical experts to Venezuela to bolster cancer treatment facilities using advanced medical accelerators.
Meanwhile, Iran played a crucial role in aiding Venezuela with refinery repairs and fuel supply amid soaring U.S sanctions that ravaged the oil industry. Amir-Abdollahian, who similarly lost his life in the helicopter crash, was instrumental in finalizing a deal to restore Venezuela's largest refining complex in 2023.
Edited by Ricardo Vaz, Caracas.
Background Insights:- Iran and Venezuela deepened their strategic alliance, grounded in shared anti-imperialist ideologies and resistance to U.S. sanctions. - They recently finalized a 20-year cooperation plan, extending to oil, petrochemicals, tourism, and culture.- Joint collaborations include energy and trade, science and technology, and defense-sector technology, with ongoing projects in probiotics, biotechnology, geoscience, and medical accelerators.- Diplomatic engagement remains robust, with frequent high-level meetings and both nations framing their relationship as a counterweight to Western influence, emphasizing sovereignty and mutual support against sanctions.- Despite the current data, the impacts of potential leadership changes on the alliance are unknown. Both countries have consistently prioritized their relationship based on anti-U.S. solidarity.
- The tragic passing of President Raisi saddened Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, who has been a key figure in strengthening the strategic alliance between Iran and Venezuela.
- Amidst the mourning period for President Raisi, leaders in Latin America, including those from Cuba, are reflecting on the role Iran played in increasing cooperation in sectors like energy, trade, science, and technology, as per the 20-year plan between the two nations.
- While the helicopter crash that claimed President Raisi's life left a void that may be hard to fill, Cuba and other Latin American allies remain committed to the principles of anti-imperialist solidarity and sovereignty that underpin the deep-rooted alliance between Iran and Venezuela.
