In response to the news that two Russian military aircraft carrying about 100 troops and a substantial amount of equipment arrived in Venezuela on Saturday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Russia should “cease its unconstructive behavior” in Venezuela. Pompeo also warned that the US “will not stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions in Venezuela.”
US President Trump has recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the interim president of Venezuela and there are signs that the US is planning a military campaign aimed at overthrowing President Maduro, whose regime enjoys the support of the Russian government. Last week, US and Russian officials failed to agree on the legitimacy of Maduro, after which the latter defied US warnings by having the chief of staff of Guaido arrested.
Read more: Pompeo warns Russia ‘to cease its unconstructive behavior’ in Venezuela
