Presence of 'Russian Specialists' in Venezuela Based on Accord

The ministry did not provide any further details in its statement about the specialists.

Two Russian air force planes landed at Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to media reports.

A senior Venezuelan official confirmed that Russian planes had landed in the country after authorization by President Nicolas Maduro.

The vice president of the Socialist Party, Diosdado Cabello, said the planes were in Venezuela “because they were authorized by the only government that there is in Venezuela, and it’s called the government of Nicolas Maduro.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on the phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the landing and accused Moscow of “non-constructive behavior.”

Pompeo told Lavrov the US “will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela.”

The administration of US President Donald Trump, which immediately recognized Juan Guaido as the leader of Venezuela after his self-proclamation, has repeatedly threatened to use military force to topple the Maduro government.

Washington has no military cooperation with Caracas. Russia, however, is an ally of Venezuela and is involved in defense cooperation with Caracas based on bilateral contracts.

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