TEHRAN – Iranian President Masudo Pezeskian celebrated Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and the people of Venezuela on the anniversary of the country’s independence, praised the legacy of Latin America’s resistance and emphasized the need to deepen strategic ties between the two allies to regain external pressure.
On Monday, Pezeschkian welcomed Venezuela’s independence as a product of the courage and freedom spirit of historical leaders like Simon Bolivar, calling it a source of inspiration for Latin America and beyond anti-imperialist and justice-led movements.
He praised the Venezuelan government and people for their continued commitment to the ideals of their national heroes, and reaffirmed Iran’s preparations to expand cooperation in all respects.
“The current global climate and the unfair sanctions imposed on our country call for the rapid implementation of existing agreements and further strengthening our bilateral relations,” he said.
The 20-year agreement signed during President Maduro’s visit to Tehran outlines extensive collaboration in key sectors such as oil, petrochemicals, defense, agriculture, tourism and culture. It also includes provisions regarding the repair and modernization of Venezuela refineries and export of Iranian technology and engineering services.
Oil is the basis of the Iran-Venezuela partnership, and Caracas is increasingly sought Tehran for broader support in the economic battle against US sanctions. Both countries have repeatedly denounced Washington’s illegal and unilateral economic pressure.
The deepening of bonds was also the focus of a recent visit from Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bakr Karibahu to Caracas, where I met with Venezuelan Minister of Transport Ramon Velazquez.
“Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Bolivar Revolution in Venezuela, our country shares friends, enemies and aspirations. This historical alignment is an opportunity that we should not waste,” Karibakh said during the meeting. He highlighted the urgency to overcome bureaucratic delays to expand trade and private sector cooperation in the face of shared threats.
Velazquez repeated his emotions, pointing to an ongoing external threat. “President Maduro reminds us that our enemy will never sleep. We must be vigilant and persistent,” he said.
Both sides emphasized that accelerating the pace of cooperation is not just strategic. It is essential as their nations describe them as “a ruthless, common enemy” and strive to assert independence in a multipolar world.