The Russian Foreign Ministry has reportedly begun evacuating the families of its diplomats from Venezuela as Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s hold on power grows increasingly fragile. Russia is one of Maduro’s most important allies and has continually shown solidarity with the Latin American nation during the increasing pressure campaign directed against it by President Donald

Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it hoped that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration would not make a fatal mistake over Venezuela and said Moscow was concerned about U.S. decisions that threatened international shipping.

The denial referred to a Monday AP report that quoted a European intelligence representative as saying that Russia had begun evacuating staff and their family members from its embassy in Venezuela.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is weighing in on Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas peace efforts and defending the Trump administration’s increasing military pressure on Venezuela during a rare, end-of-

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday told reporters that the United States is not concerned about an escalation with Russia when it comes to Venezuela, as President Donald Trump builds up military forces in the Caribbean.

The Russian government warned the U.S. against military action against Venezuela, saying such a move would constitute a "fatal mistake."

Oil futures added modestly to gains with market focus on efforts toward a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement and stepped up U.S. actions against Venezuela.

The Venezuela blockade could affect 600,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil exports, mostly to China, but 160,000 bpd of exports to the U.S. would likely continue, ING said. Chevron vessels were continuing to depart for the U.S. under a previous authorisation from the U.S. government.