Russia has donated two mobile biosafety level 3 laboratories to Venezuela, Vice Minister of Health, Ecosocialism, Science and Technology Isabel Iturria announced on Thursday, describing it as an extraordinary act of solidarity that will bolster the South American nation’s scientific sovereignty.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the second Russian‑Venezuelan Rapid Response Team Exercises for Health and Epidemiological Emergencies, Iturria emphasized that the laboratories were made possible through the joint work of the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) and the Rafael Rangel National Institute of Hygiene, which handled the assembly, startup, and deployment of the units for special epidemiological situations. She thanked the Russian delegation in Venezuela, particularly Ambassador Sergei Melik‑Bagdasaryan, for supporting the initiative.

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The announcement follows a March 27 statement by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, who reaffirmed that Moscow will maintain its friendship and cooperation with Venezuela, expecting to preserve a positive dynamic of political dialogue and collaboration across all sectors. Zakharova said she believes Venezuela shares the same willingness.

The two mobile BSL‑3 laboratories are designed to safely handle pathogens that cause serious or potentially lethal diseases through inhalation, providing Venezuela with enhanced mobile diagnostic and research capabilities in remote or high‑risk areas.

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