Russian military officials have arrived in Venezuela to "fulfil (routine) military contracts".
This comes after two Russian planes landed at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas guarded by a contingent of Venezuelan national guardsmen.
Russian state news agency Sputnik stressed that it was part of ongoing military cooperation between the two allies.
Dan Ashby has more.

Man charged with 10 counts of attempted murder after knife attack on UK train
Tanzania's Hassan sworn into office after deadly election violence
Powerful 6.3 quake kills at least 20 in Afghanistan, hundreds injured
Turkey set to call for action on Gaza as soon as possible, source says
Hamas hands over three more hostage bodies
India federal agency freezes Anil Ambani Group's $853 million properties
Israeli strike kills one in Gaza as sides trade blame for truce violations
UK police say mass stabbing on train not terrorist incident, two arrested
