The threat of invasion of Venezuela remains, but the country's armed forces support the government of President Nicolas Maduro and are protecting the Constitution, Venezuela’s Ambassador to Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa said during a roundtable discussion in Moscow about the current political crisis in Venezuela.
"We are facing a real threat of military invasion. This is very serious… When [US National Security Adviser John] Bolton or [US Secretary of State Mike] Pompeo speak, they just say they want to scare us. And no one knows [what will be]. Especially since we see what they have done in Syria, Libya, Iraq, and Afghanistan", Tortosa has stated at a round table.
READ MORE: Macron's Recognition of Guaido Same as Supporting Coup in Venezuela — French MP
He said that Venezuelan armed forces are standing fast and protecting the Constitution.
"We respect and appreciate that most countries support the idea that we can solve the problems within our country. We do not need the United States, Canada, or other countries to solve our problems", he stated.
"Venezuela argues for Russia's participation [in the crisis settlement] as a mediator. It has a rich experience in the Syrian conflict, in which a great number of parties are involved and where religious issue plays a significant role, so its experience would be a great support," the ambassador said during a roundtable discussion in Moscow on the current political crisis in Venezuela.
At the same time, the official dismissed reports that Russian private military companies allegedly guarded President Nicolas Maduro.
READ MORE: Macron's Recognition of Guaido Same as Supporting Coup in Venezuela — French MP
Reuters reported on January 25 citing sources that "private military contractors who do secret missions for Russia flew into Venezuela in the past few days to beef up security for President Nicolas Maduro." Russia's ambassador in Caracas, Vladimir Zayomsky, has dismissed the report in an interview with Sputnik. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said reports about Russian servicemen in Venezuela are untrue.
The statement comes after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on 5 February rebuffed a US promise to send relief aid to the crisis-hit South American country as a "political stunt" and a pretext for an invasion. Maduro is being challenged by opposition leader Juan Guaido who proclaimed himself interim president last month, in a move promptly backed by the United States.
