Russian Army In Venezuela | Burning Issues

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POMPEO WARNS RUSSIA

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and called on Moscow “to cease its unconstructive behavior” in Venezuela, the State Department said in a statement
In the phone call, Pompeo told Lavrov that “the US and regional countries will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela”

PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN MILITARY PERSONNEL IN VENEZUELA

Two Russian military planes landed in Venezuela’s main airport recently, reportedly carrying dozens of troops and large amounts of equipment.

RUSSIAN RESPONSE

In response, Lavrov said: “Washington’s attempts to organize a coup in Venezuela and threats against its legitimate government are in violation of the UN Charter and undisguised interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state.”

Russia has long been an ally of Venezuela, lending the South American nation billions of dollars and backing its oil industry and military.
Russia has also vocally opposed moves from the US to impose sanctions on the government of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro.

WHY IS RUSSIA SAVING MADURO?

As the political and economic pressure on Nicolás Maduro mounts, Venezuela’s president believes there is one person he can rely on -Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin has accused the opposition leader Juan Guaidó of an “illegal attempt to seize power”, backed by the United States. Moscow says it will do “everything required” to support Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s “legitimate president”.

WHY IS RUSSIA SAVING MADURO?

Moscow has long been a key ally of President Maduro, and Hugo Chávez before him – as fierce critics of Washington, right in America’s backyard.
“The relationship is symbolically important. It’s about saying ‘we’re not alone, there are others who are very critical of the US and Western policy’,”

MOSCOW ALSO HAS MONEY AT STAKE.

Russia’s has sunk significant amounts into backing Nicolás Maduro, much of that in loans it stands to lose if he is forced from office.
The full extent of Russia’s exposure isn’t clear.
Analysts talk of $17bn (£13bn), mostly dished out in credit to the Maduro government. But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to put a figure on it when questioned by journalists earlier this week.
He was even more tight-lipped on whether Russia worried about losing that investment. “I won’t respond to that,” Mr Peskov said

THE ISSUE OF OIL

Venezuela sits on the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
Russia’s state-owned firm, Rosneft, now has stakes in multiple projects in Venezuela and has issued significant loans to the country’s oil giant, PDVSA.