Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has asked Russia, China and Iran to strengthen the country's military capabilities amid a buildup of US troops in the Caribbean.

This was reported by The Washington Post with reference to internal documents of the US government, Ukrinform reports.

It is noted that the letter to Vladimir Putin was to be delivered during a visit to Moscow by a senior Maduro aide this month.

According to the publication, Maduro, in a letter to Chinese leader Xi Jinping, requested expanded military cooperation to counter the escalation between the United States and Venezuela.

In addition, Maduro asked the Chinese government to speed up the production of radar detection systems.

US government documents also state that Venezuelan Transportation Minister Ramon Celestino Velasquez recently coordinated the supply of military equipment and drones from Iran, while planning a visit to that country.

According to Washington, the minister told the Iranian official that Venezuela needed passive detection equipment, GPS scramblers, and almost certainly drones with a range of 1,000 km.

At the same time, it is unclear how Russia, China, and Iran reacted to Venezuela's request.

Russia remains Maduro's main lifeline. Last Sunday, according to Flightradar24, a Russian Il-76, which was sanctioned by the United States in 2023 for its involvement in arms trafficking and transporting mercenaries, arrived in Caracas via a circuitous route through Africa to avoid Western airspace.

The day before, Moscow ratified a new strategic treaty with Caracas.

As Ukrinform reported, the administration of US President Donald Trump has identified targets in Venezuela, including military facilities, for strikes as part of the anti-drug campaign.