The United States is a hegemonic power and the main threat to Latin America's stability and security, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said at the 11th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS).

"The United States does not stop in its attempts to maintain hegemony, so that Latin America is organized in line with its interests. Therefore, it increased military operations in the region," he said, noting that he meant military drills conducted jointly by the US and its allies. 
 
"Amid these destabilizing factors, I dare say that the main threat to the security and peace of Latin America is the actions of the United States at the political, economic and military levels in order to maintain its decadent hegemony."

Read more: China's Defense Minister to visit Russia, Belarus this week: Ministry

Running from August 14 to 20, the Army-2023 defense industry forum serves as a comprehensive platform for global defense discussions. Notably, Sputnik has been designated as the event's official media partner.

A high-level Venezuelan delegation is actively participating in the annual Russian conference, signaling Caracas' strategic intent to enhance defense collaboration with Moscow. This move aligns with the broader global initiative among nations that resist US-led Western dominance.

During the visit, the Latin American officials initiated talks with Moscow to acquire new weapons systems from Russian state-owned defense exporter Rosoboronexport. Meanwhile, Venezuelan Vice Minister for Planning and Development at the Defense Ministry Renier Urbaez Fermin also announced that an AK-103 Kalashnikov production plant is set to become operational later this year.

Read more: Iranian deputy defense chief lands in Moscow for security conference

Washington's military blocs

Russia's President Vladimir Putin made a speech at the beginning event and called for increased cooperation between the participating states to ensure global security.

"Today, it is clear that it is possible to reduce confrontation at the global and regional levels, neutralize challenges and risks, strengthen trust between states, and open up broad opportunities for their development only by uniting the efforts of the international community," Putin said.

The President revealed that Western states plan on integrating NATO forces with AUKUS, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"We do not rule out that the matter is heading towards full integration of NATO forces with the AUKUS bloc structures that are being created."

Putin stressed that the US' so-called Indo-Pacific strategy is in fact "aimed at creating military-political associations controlled by Washington," which seeks to "reformat the system of interstate cooperation" in the Asia-Pacific region to secure its interest.

The head of the Russian state stressed Moscow's support for a multipolar world order, "based on the priority of norms and principles of international law, the sovereignty and equality of states, constructive cooperation and trust."