Russia denies sending mercenaries to protect Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro amid power struggle
- Kremlin concerned that political crisis could erode Russian influence and investments in Venezuela
The Russian government has denied that it has sent mercenaries to protect the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro, after an opposition leader with backing from the United States declared himself the country’s president.
Russia has thrown its diplomatic weight behind Maduro in recent days, criticising the US for violating Venezuela’s sovereignty by supporting the leadership claim of opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Reports emerged earlier this week that dozens or hundreds of Russian mercenaries, who have been active in Ukraine and Syria, had been sent to protect Maduro from a possible coup attempt.
The move would suggest that Russia was willing to raise the stakes to protect its investment in its closest ally in the western hemisphere.
On a political news show on Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Russia had sent military personnel to the country.
“Fear has a hundred eyes,” he said. He did not make a direct denial, however, because private military contractors do not work for the government.
Russia has spent billions to build up its influence in Venezuela and there are concerns that regime change could erase that investment.