Russia has pulled its key defense advisers from Venezuela amid U.S. pressure on the failing regime of President Nicolás Maduro, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Rostec, a Russian defense contractor that has trained Venezuelan troops, has cut its staff from about 1,000 several years ago to "just a few dozen," a source told the Journal.
"They believe the fight is being lost," the source told the paper.
Perhaps equally important, Venezuela has reportedly struggled to pay for the contractor, which has also been hit by sanctions from other defense contracts worldwide.
"Since the Venezuelans aren't paying, why should Rostec stay there and foot the bill on its own," the source told the Journal.
Losing Russia's support would deal a large blow to Maduro as he tries to hold off the burgeoning regime of Juan Guaidó, whom the United States has recognized as Venezuela's duly elected leader.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Russia persuaded Maduro not to flee to Cuba during a potential ouster.
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