Maduro says Russia to deliver humanitarian aid to Venezuela: Report

MOSCOW - Russia will deliver 300 tons of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, local media reported Monday, quoting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

"We receive humanitarian support every day," Maduro was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency at a meeting with scientists in Venezuela. Russia's aid will be delivered to the international airport of Caracas, the president added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Russia is ready to join mediation efforts to help end the Venezuelan crisis.

Russia supports the broadest contacts on the Venezuelan issue, Zakharova said.

Venezuela has been experiencing political tensions since Jan 23 when National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself interim president and was recognized by the United States and some other countries.

For years, the United States has imposed diplomatic pressure and economic sanctions against Venezuela, and has recently imposed sanctions on Petroleos de Venezuela, a state-owned oil firm in Venezuela, to mount pressure on Maduro to cede power to the opposition.