WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Russian military contingent that arrived in Venezuela over the weekend are believed to be special forces, including “cybersecurity personnel,” a U.S. official told Reuters on Tuesday.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still assessing the Russian deployment, which Washington has called a “reckless escalation” of the situation in Venezuela. Two Russian air force planes landed outside Caracas on Saturday carrying nearly 100 Russian troops, according to local media reports.

(Reporting by Leslie Adler)