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Two Russian strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons have landed in ally Venezuela in a show of support for the government there that infuriated Washington.
The TU-160 supersonic bombers, known as “White Swans” by Russian pilots, landed at Maiquetia airport near Caracas on Monday after covering more than 10,000 km (6,200 miles), reports Reuters.
Their deployment came days after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whose left-wing administration is the most significant US foe in Latin America, held talks with President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Capable of carrying short-range nuclear missiles, the planes can fly over 12,000 km (7,500 miles) without re-fuelling and have landed in Venezuela twice before in the last decade.
“Russia’s government has sent bombers halfway around the world to Venezuela,” fumed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Twitter.
“The Russian and Venezuelan people should see this for what it is: two corrupt governments squandering public funds, and squelching liberty and freedom while their people suffer.”
As OPEC member Venezuela’s socialist-run economy implodes, Russia has become a key lender of last resort, investing in its oil industry and providing support to its military.