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The US has accused Russia of keeping Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in power to score cheap foreign policy goals. A senior US official said Russia’s state-controlled oil group, Rosneft, is “central” to the survival of Mr Maduro’s government. This because of its pivotal role in the country’s crude oil and arranging finances.

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The Trump administration has been tightening economic sanctions on Venezuela in an attempt to take down the government and trigger a fresh presidential election.

Elliott Abrams, Washington’s special representative for Venezuela told Financial Times: “The Russians are in a different situation because Rosneft is really central to the regime’s survival.

“It is buying the oil that is produced, it is helping sell that oil, it is helping them arrange financing ... Rosneft is really key here.”

However, Kremlin has argued Russia’s relationship with Mr Maduro is pragmatic, rather than strategic.

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