The presence of Russia’s military in Venezuela, in any capacity, is Putin putting up a detour to U.S. plans to get rid of Maduro. Those sanctions show Washington is ready to loop Russian into its Venezuela sanctions regime. See: Russia Takes Its Syria Anti-Regime Change Strategy To Venezuela — ForbesVenezuela’s economy got hit with it harshest sanctions yet this January. Under Maduro and the Socialists United, Venezuela has become both a failed state and a pariah state. If Putin dashes Guiado’s hopes to force Maduro to step down in favor of new elections, Russia may yet suffer the consequences.

Source: Forbes April 05, 2019 17:32 UTC