Kremlin: US wants to transfer weapons to the opposition in Venezuela with the help of Ukraine
The Russian Foreign Ministry official representative Maria Zakharova stated that, at the beginning of March, the US wants to transfer weapons to the opposition in Venezuela with the help of the Ukrainian Antonov company. In addition, according to her, starting on February 23rd, the US will send humanitarian aid to Venezuela while Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro does not intend to allow this aid into the country.
“The transport of cargo to Venezuela is planned for early March of this year in several batches through the territory of neighboring countries, using international freight transport aircraft. Ukrainian trace can be observed in this ugly story. In particular, the state enterprise Antonov will be involved. [ for the delivery of the cargo],” reports RIA Novosti quoting Zakharova
According to the diplomat, the United States and NATO are going to buy weapons for the Venezuelan opposition “in one of the Eastern European countries.” In particular, according to Zakharova, this includes large-caliber machine guns and similar weapons, rifled and automatic grenade launchers, and also mobile air defense missile systems. In addition, Washington is sending special forces and equipment closer to Venezuela,” she said.
In early December, Venezuelan President Maduro stated that Moscow and Caracas signed investment agreements for $6 billion. $5 billion will be provided for oil production and another $1 billion for gold production. According to Reuters, as of 2017, the Russian government and the Russian oil giant Rosneft provided Venezuela with loans or credit lines for at least $17 billion starting from 2006.
On January 23, during the rally in Caracas, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Juan Guaidó declared himself acting leader of Venezuela. He was supported by Western and Latin American countries. The current President, Nicolás Maduro accused the opposition and the USA of trying to carry out a coup d’état.