Vladimir Putin evacuates diplomats' families as tensions with Donald Trump soar

While the Kremlin confirmed it was not closing its Caracas embassy, officials notably declined to comment on whether relatives of diplomatic personnel were being transported out of the country.

The development comes as Washington ramps up both military operations and rhetoric against Nicolas Maduro's far-left regime.

American naval forces are enforcing a blockade targeting Venezuelan oil exports and conducting strikes against vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking.

The US has assembled its most substantial military presence in the region for generations, spearheaded by the USS Gerald R Ford, the largest aircraft carrier on the planet.

American forces seized two oil tankers in waters near Venezuela last week while pursuing a third vessel as part of intensified efforts to intercept what the Trump administration describes as a "dark fleet" circumventing sanctions.

Since September, US forces have conducted 29 documented strikes against boats operating in Caribbean and Pacific waters, killing more than 100 suspected narco-terrorists.

Democrats have condemned the operations as unlawful, with some leading figures accusing the Trump administration of carrying out extrajudicial killings.

The naval blockade specifically targets Venezuela's petroleum wealth, with Washington accusing the Maduro government of using maritime routes to traffic narcotics internationally.

President Trump has levelled direct threats at the Venezuelan leader, accusing him of running an international drug trafficking operation and suggesting it "would be smart" for him to relinquish power.

The American government placed a $50million (£37million) bounty on Mr Maduro's capture earlier this year.

Speaking in Florida on Monday whilst announcing plans for a new "Golden Fleet" of US Navy battleships, Mr Trump issued a stark warning to the Venezuelan leader.

The President said: "If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it'll be the last time he'll ever be able to play tough."

However, Mr Maduro hit back by urging the American leader to focus on domestic matters, saying: "He would be better off in his own country on economic and social issues, and he would be better off in the world if he took care of his country’s affairs.”

Russia, a longstanding ally of Caracas, declared its "full support and solidarity" with the Venezuelan government on Monday, voicing "deep concern" about developments in the Caribbean.

Moscow had previously cautioned Washington against making the "fatal mistake" of launching military intervention, warning such action "could lead to unpredictable consequences for the entire Western Hemisphere".

At an emergency UN Security Council session requested by Venezuela on Tuesday, both Russian and Chinese representatives denounced American conduct as "cowboy behaviour" and "intimidation".

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz countered: "The United States will do everything in its power to protect our hemisphere, our borders and the American people."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed Russian concerns, saying the administration was "not concerned about an escalation with Russia with regards to Venezuela" given Moscow's preoccupation with Ukraine.

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