MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday it was sticking to Nicolas Maduro as the "legitimate president" of Venezuela, warning the United States, which supports opposition leader Juan Guido, who has declared himself interim president, of the "disastrous scenario" of military intervention in Venezuela.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Maduro was the "legitimate president" of Venezuela and denounced the "rape of power" by the opposition.
"We consider the attempt to usurp power in Venezuela ... as a violation of international law," he said.
Venezuelan parliament speaker Guido declared himself the interim president of the country on Wednesday, winning the support of America and many Latin American countries, prompting Maduro to sever diplomatic ties with the United States.
Warning to America of the "catastrophic scenario"
The Kremlin warned of "American signals of possible military intervention in Venezuela," saying it was "very dangerous."
The Kremlin noted that Russia had not received a request for military assistance from Venezuela, while the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed that Moscow would stand with Caracas "to protect its sovereignty and safeguard the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries."
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia was "warning" the United States against military intervention in Venezuela, saying such a move was a "catastrophic scenario."
For his part, said the President of the Russian House of Representatives, Vyacheslav Fuluding, Moscow considers the moves to overthrow Maduro "illegal," according to Interfax news agency.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Franz Klinzewicz warned Thursday that Moscow would stop military cooperation with Venezuela if he is toppled by a "legally elected president."
Russia is investing in the oil sector in Venezuela, and has also provided support to its army. Last month, two strategic Russian strategic missile bombs landed in Venezuela, angering Washington.
