Russia yesterday said its decision to send military personnel to Venezuela in support of the embattled regime of President Nicolas Maduro was in accordance with the country’s laws, after the move drew a strong rebuke from the US.
Washington and Moscow have locked horns over the political crisis in the South American country, after Russian planes landed at an airport outside Caracas at the weekend reportedly containing around 100 soldiers and 35 tonnes of military equipment.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Washington of attempts to “organise a coup d’etat” in the oil-producing nation while US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that the US would not “stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions.”
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Washington of “aggressive rhetoric” over the issue in a statement yesterday.
Moscow is “developing co-operation with Venezuela in strict accordance with the constitution of that country and with full respect for its legal norms,” she said.
She added that “the presence of Russian specialists on Venezuelan territory is regulated by an agreement between the Russian and Venezuelan governments on military and technical co-operation that was signed in May 2001”.
Venezuela is rich in oil but has plunged into economic crisis, suffering hyperinflation and shortages of food and basic goods.
Washington and its allies support Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and recognise his claim to be acting president in defiance of Maduro.
Socialist leader Maduro retains the support of Russia and China, US rivals who have offered him political and economic support.
Moscow will continue to “develop constructive, mutually beneficial co-operation” with Venezuela, Zakharova said.
Meanwhile a White House official yesterday said that Fabiana Rosales, a Venezuelan activist who is the wife of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, is slated to visit the White House today where she will meet with Vice President Mike Pence.
Pence is expected to reiterate US backing for Guaido, the head of Venezuela’s national assembly
Rosales, a 26-year-old journalist and opposition activist who is considered Venezuela’s first lady by supporters, said before her trip that her family and friends have been stalked and threatened.
She is also expected to visit New York City and Miami during her US trip.
Earlier the World Trade Organisation was forced to postpone a regular dispute settlement meeting after the US refused to recognise Venezuela, diplomats said, potentially putting a long-term obstacle in the WTO’s trade dispute system.
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