The arrival of a passenger plane in Russia fuels rumors in Venezuela | World

The Boeing 777, which can accommodate up to 400 pbadengers and belongs to the Russian airline Nordwind Airlines, is located in a private area of ​​the airport after flying directly from Moscow, according to flight monitoring data and Reuters photos.

Neither the Venezuelan government nor the Venezuelan government immediately responded to a request for comment on the reason for the flight to Caracas.

This was the first time the plane had taken this route, according to the data.

Venezuelan social networks were full of theories that the plane was carrying mercenaries, was there to escort Maduro in exile or was laden with gold. None of theories have been based on concrete evidence, but feverish speculation is a thermometer of the climate of uncertainty that prevails in the country now that Maduro is under unprecedented international pressure for his resignation.

Last week, Reuters announced that private military agents carrying out secret missions to Moscow had gone to Venezuela to reinforce Maduro 's security in the face of mbad demonstrations in the country. opposition that week, according to people close to the Russians.

The plane in Caracas normally provides a connection between Russia and South-East Asia, and there is no indication that it has ever been to Venezuela, according to flight data available to the public. Neither Nordwind nor the other commercial airlines offer direct flights from Moscow to Caracas.

The Russian newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" announced that the plane had departed with two crew members and no pbadengers.

Maduro claims to be dealing with a state-sponsored coup attempt approved by Washington and led by opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who proclaimed himself president last week and who was recognized by the United States as the legitimate head of state of the country.

Russia accused the administration of US President Donald Trump of trying to usurp Venezuela's power and discouraged military intervention. On Tuesday, the Kremlin repudiated the new US sanctions against the Venezuelan oil sector, which it considered as an illegal interference in the affairs of OPEC member countries.