MOSCOW: Russia on Saturday warned Washington to stop interfering in thestand-off between Venezuela’s government and the opposition movement, andonce again defended its decision to send personnel to the country.
“We recommend that the United States stop threatening Venezuela, smotheringits economy and pushing it towards civil war in open violation ofinternational law,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in astatement.
On Friday, a statement from the US National Security Advisor John Boltonwarned “actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deployingmilitary assets to Venezuela”.
But Zakharova, in her statement Saturday, said Russia had made it clear itwas not sending a military contingent to Venezuela.
Two Russian military planes landed a week ago at the main airport outsideCaracas and offloaded equipment and troops, ratcheting up internationaltensions.
Russian officials insist the troops came to Venezuela as part of along-standing agreement on military and technical cooperation.
But US President Donald Trump has called on Russia to “get out” ofVenezuela, with Russia saying its troops will stay for as long as needed.
The military specialists are apparently helping to fix a malfunctioningRussian S-300 ground-to-air missile system, US envoy Elliott Abrams saidFriday.
Russia and Venezuela signed a military cooperation treaty in 2011 involvingthe sale of Russian weapons to Venezuela.
Earlier Saturday, Rosoboronexport, Russia’s state arms export company saidit has opened a training centre for military helicopter pilots inVenezuela, after Moscow flew in troops and equipment.
Venezuela, Russia’s largest client in Latin America, has already received“a significant amount of Russian arms and military technology”,Rosoboronexport spokesman Davydenko added.
The United States and more than 50 other countries recognise Venezuelanopposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president. Russia, along withChina, backs President Nicolas Maduro. – APP/AFP