NYT learned about the mistakes of the Venezuelan military in working with the C-300 air defense system during the US attack

The Venezuelan military was not competent enough to handle the Russian S-300 air defense system, as well as the Buk complex. This was reported on January 12 by The New York Times, citing American officials and experts.

"An analysis of photographs, videos and satellite images showed that some air defense components were still in warehouses at the time of the attack, and not in working order," the material says.

The newspaper also claims that the lack of experience with "one of the world's most advanced anti-aircraft systems," the C-300, indicates Venezuela's unpreparedness for an American invasion, "despite months of warnings."

"After years of corruption, poor logistics, and sanctions, all of this has certainly reduced the combat readiness of Venezuela's air defense systems," said Richard de la Torre, former head of the CIA mission in Venezuela.

Hotly contested: how the United States is building relations with Venezuela after Maduro's arrest

Washington expects to achieve full access of American companies to the oil infrastructure

One of the guards of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on January 10 that US army soldiers used secret weapons during the operation to capture the Venezuelan leader. According to him, the Americans were able to disable about 100 Venezuelan soldiers, while they themselves came out of the battle without losses.

On January 3, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had successfully launched a large-scale strike against Venezuela. Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, were captured and taken away from the territory of the state. The Venezuelan leader was taken to New York Federal Court on January 5 to face charges. In court, he declared his innocence and said that he was still the president of his country. The American court agreed to schedule a visit by consular officers to Venezuela. The judge ordered Maduro to appear in court on March 17 for a hearing.

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