Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia sending troops to support Nicolas Maduro's regime is in accordance with the country's laws. As President Nicolas Maduro's embattled regime is facing a revolution, ally Russia sent in military support. Opposition leader Juan Guiado and US has criticised the move stating that it violates the constitution.
Russia, which recognizes Maduro as leader, on Saturday sent two planes carrying 100 troops and tons of military equipment to Venezuela.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the US of trying to organize a "coup" in Venezuela, something Moscow has warned against.
"It seems (the government of President Nicolas Maduro) doesn't trust its own troops, because it is importing others ... once again violating the constitution," Gauido said. Gauido has been recognised as an interim president for more than 50 countries including US and several European states.
Guaido said Maduro and his government "didn't bring generators in those (Russian) planes, they didn't bring engineers.... No. They brought in foreign troops onto national soil," he added.
Venezuela, an oil rich nation is currently facing a terrible crisis with hyperinflation and shortages of food and basic goods. Analysts maintain that Maduro being relected to a term of six years in 2018 was rigged.
The opposition-controlled legislature asserts that it alone has the legal power to authorize foreign military missions in Venezuela.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in return has warned that the US will not "stand idly by as Russia exacerbates tensions."
The geopolitical tussle between the former Cold War foes is playing out as Venezuela sinks deeper into economic and social crisis. Amidst the political chaos the country plunged into a another major blackout on Monday and it is the common man who is being affected. People are finding it difficult to access medicine and food as they cannot take out money from ATM.
Although US President Donald Trump has repeated that he is keeping "all options" on the table concerning Venezuela there have been no signs of imminent American military action in the oil-rich country.
Instead Maduro, who is deeply unpopular in Venezuela, retains power mainly through the loyalty of the military.
Guaido has been holding rallies for supporters around the country in which he has vowed to "very soon" take over the presidential palace. But so far Maduro has not been budged.
Russia remains Maduro's main ally. Moscow and Beijing, the country's top creditor, have lent the Maduro regime billions of dollars in exchange for a big slice of oil exports.
