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Russian Personnel Visit to Caracas Not Linked to US Intervention Threat - Source

CARACAS, March 25 (Sputnik) - A visit of Russian military personnel to Venezuela is in no way connected to the statements of the United States on potential intervention in Venezuela, a diplomatic source in Caracas told Sputnik on Monday.
Sputnik

According to media reports, planes with the Russian military personnel arrived in Caracas on Saturday, while a diplomatic source told Sputnik the visit was linked to the contracts, including defense ones.

"No, these things are in no way connected. This [visit] is about discussing contracts that had been concluded long before the crisis in Venezuela," the source said, when asked about a potential link.

The source further said that Russia and Venezuela had not signed contracts for the supply of S-300 air defence missile systems to Caracas recently, the systems were delivered to Venezuela in 2013.

"Contracts for the supply to Venezuela of S-300 air defense missile systems have not been signed recently. Russia delivered these systems to Caracas in 2013," the source said.

US 'Won't Stand Idly By as Russia Exacerbates Tensions in Venezuela' - Pompeo
Earlier, media reported that a Russian military delegation had arrived in Caracas and, according to a Sputnik source, was planning to discuss defence industry issues with Venezuelan counterparts. After the arrival of Russian Defence Ministry officials in Caracas, media reported that Venezuela had deployed S-300 systems.

Venezuela has been suffering from a severe political crisis for around two months, after the leader of the country's opposition, Juan Guaido, illegally proclaimed himself interim president, contesting the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last year.

READ MORE: Guaido Calls for "Operation Freedom" to Topple Venezuelan President Maduro

The self-proclaimed interim president immediately received support on the part of the United States, which has also denounced Maduro's re-election, along with a number of other countries. Both Caracas and Moscow have been expressing concerns that Washington may resort to military means to oust Maduro from power.

China, Cuba, Russia and a number of other countries have endorsed Maduro as Venezuela's only legitimate president.

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