MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 27th February, 2019) The Russian government, which is supporting incumbent Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has received no information on any problems or economic losses faced by Russian companies in the crisis-torn Latin American country, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Tuesday.
"Our companies represented there [in Venezuela] are very closely following the situation, monitoring it. They have relevant legal and commercial services. Today we have no information that some of them are facing problems and losses," Novak said in an interview for the Gazeta.ru media outlet.
On January 28, the United States, which is supporting self-proclaimed Venezuelan president Juan Guaido, introduced sanctions against the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, having blocked its assets and interests, worth of $7 billion, amid the crisis in Venezuela. Washington also prohibited any deal with the Venezuelan oil giant.
Guaido declared himself "interim president" on January 23 and was immediately recognized by the United States and about 50 other states. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states have, in the meantime, voiced their support for the legitimate government of Maduro. Mexico and Uruguay have refused to recognize Guaido, declaring themselves neutral and promoting crisis settlement via dialogue.
