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U.S. ‘Underestimated’ the Importance of Russia and Cuba to Maduro

  • Russian firms now handle much of Venezuela’s oil, Abrams says
  • Pence calls opposition leader Guaido to affirm U.S. support
President Nicolas Maduro

President Nicolas Maduro

Photographer: Carolina Cabral Fernandez/Bloomberg
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The U.S. has underestimated Russia and Cuba’s ability to prop up the Venezuelan regime, envoy Elliott Abrams told reporters, acknowledging frustration that President Nicolas Maduro has clung to power despite a pressure campaign to oust him.

Russian companies now handle more than 70% of Venezuela’s oil, including in ship-to-ship transfers, and the beleaguered nation’s economy has become more dependent on Moscow generally, Abrams said at a briefing on Monday.