U.S. calls Russia deployment of planes to Venezuela 'reckless escalation' [View all]

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



By Lesley Wroughton and Brian Ellsworth, Reuters•March 25, 2019

By Lesley Wroughton and Brian Ellsworth

WASHINGTON/CARACAS (Reuters) - The United States on Monday accused Russia of "reckless escalation" of the situation in Venezuela by deploying military planes and personnel to the crisis-stricken South American nation that Washington has hit with crippling sanctions.

The Russian planes and military personnel arrived outside the Venezuelan capital Caracas on Saturday, according to local media reports, two months after the Trump administration disavowed President Nicolas Maduro.

Washington has recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's legitimate president and demands that Maduro leave power, which Russia has described as a U.S.-backed coup against the socialist government.

"The United States condemns Russia's deployment of military aircraft and personnel to Caracas, which is another contradiction of both Nicolas Maduro's and Russia's calls for non-intervention in Venezuela and is a reckless escalation of the situation," a State Department spokesman said on condition of anonymity.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/pompeo-urges-moscow-cease-unconstructive-behavior-venezuela-145013258.html