Tehran and Caracas have strengthened their strategic partnership since Hugo Chávez’s presidency, particularly with a 20-year cooperation roadmap signed during Nicolás Maduro’s 2022 visit to Iran. This partnership spans energy, health, science, transport, and education, resulting in 299 sectoral agreements. However, escalating U.S. military presence in the Caribbean has heightened tensions, prompting Venezuela to bolster its defenses. The Venezuelan government counters U.S. claims of drug trafficking, citing UN data showing most Colombian narcotics transit through the Pacific. Amid these challenges, Caracas emphasizes national sovereignty, mobilizing citizens to defend against external threats while seeking support from allies like Iran.