Venezuela's National Assembly approved in a first vote on Thursday a strategic cooperation pact with Russia, framing the agreement as part of what lawmakers described as a rejection of "the hegemonist policies of imperialism" and a commitment to international cooperation.
The agreement was advanced as the United States has deployed warships, submarines and F-35B fighter jets to the Caribbean, saying the moves are part of a counternarcotics effort. Caracas, however, accuses Washington of using the operations as cover for regime change.
