Article snippet: Tensions between the United States and Russia over Venezuela are threatening to boil over. The White House on Friday warned Russia, along with other countries supporting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, against sending military forces and equipment to the crisis-stricken nation. Washington — which supports opposition party leader Juan Guaidó — would view the move as a "direct threat to security in the region," according to national security adviser John Bolton. "We strongly caution actors external to the Western Hemisphere against deploying military assets to Venezuela, or elsewhere in the Hemisphere, with the intent of establishing or expanding military operations," Bolton said. "We will consider such provocative actions as a direct threat to international peace and security in the region. We will continue to defend and protect the interests of the United States, and those of our partners in the Western Hemisphere," he said. Bolton’s declaration is the second such warning this week, after Moscow on March 23 sent military "specialists" to the South American nation. Multiple media outlets reported that two Russian planes with military advisers and as many as 100 troops landed in Venezuela. Moscow downplayed the significance, and Russian spokespeople have said the advisers and supplies were part of a military cooperation agreement with Venezuela. "The Russian side clearly stated the purpose of the arrival of its specialists to Caracas. This is not about any 'm... Link to the full article to read more