HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is hanging onto power in the crisis-wracked country in large part thanks to backing from the military, which according to the United States, is receiving support and advice from Cuba.

While the close relationship between left-wing allies Venezuela and Cuba is well-known, Havana denies the accusations from its old Cold War foe that its actions are nefarious.

“The time has come to liberate Venezuela from Cuba,” US Vice-President Mike Pence proclaimed Monday.

“Cuba’s malign influence is evident in Venezuela and in Nicaragua.”

There’s nothing new in such assertions coming out of Washington.

Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor John Bolton branded Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua together as a “troika of tyranny” in November.

STRONG SUPPORT

The strength of the relationship between Caracas and Havana was apparent when Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel headed to Venezuela for his first overseas appointment after succeeding Raul Castro in April.

Cuba was also one of the first countries to offer its “strong support” to Maduro on January 23 after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president.

The relationship goes back to Maduro’s mentor and predecessor Hugo Chavez, according to Michael Shifter, president of the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue think-tank.

Chavez, who was Venezuela’s president from 1999 until his death in 2013, “admired Fidel Castro, it was almost like a father-son relationship”.

“The Cuban engagement in Venezuela began then and very, very strongly,” added Shifter.

For Venezuelan lawyer and military specialist Rocio San Miguel, Cuba’s involvement in Venezuela’s state apparatus probably dates back to 2004.

Cuba has gradually taken control of “five sensitive national security areas: Notary registers, identity papers, intelligence, the armed forces and the national police”, San Miguel said.

Rapidly, the two allies agreed on a simple partnership in which Caracas provides economic assistance and oil at friendly rates, while Havana sends thousands of doctors, sports coaches and military advisors to the South American country.

“Cuba got far more out of it than Venezuela,” said former British ambassador Paul Webster Hare, who lived in both countries and is now a professor at Boston University.

“There were no two countries in the world that had as… integrated governments as Cuba and Venezuela.

“There are reports that Maduro has Cuban intelligence briefings every day.”

San Miguel went so far as to say that “in the decision-making process there is Cuba above Maduro”, although Shifter insists “there is no evidence of that”.

EXTREMELY WORRIED

Since Venezuela descended into political crisis with Guaido’s self-proclamation, Cuba has denied interfering in Venezuela.

Several high-ranking officials in the foreign affairs ministry have repeatedly blasted Bolton as a “liar” on Twitter after he suggested Cuba was directing Venezuela’s military.

They compared those “lies” to US claims that late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction – which were never been found – used as justification for the Iraq War.

Even so, Cuba is closely monitoring events in Venezuela.

“I think they’re extremely worried,” said Shifter.

Last week, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez invited European ambassadors for the first time to discuss topical issues, notably Venezuela.

“I saw some worry,” said one diplomat who took part in the meeting.

“They felt a bit backed into a corner and needed to clearly explain their position,” said another, adding that “there’s a real worry about a loss of profits” if Maduro leaves power.

The loss of heavily subsidised oil would weaken an already struggling Cuban economy.

Cuba has been preparing, says Webster Hare, due to Venezuela’s dwindling production of crude, currently at a 30-year low.

“Cuba has already been looking for alternative oil suppliers: they got some from Russia, from Iran and other countries,” he said.

“Diplomatically, it would be a major blow,” he added, leaving Cuba increasingly isolated.

And then there’s also “the threat of the US setting its sight on Cuba after Venezuela”, said Shifter, saying the Caribbean island nation itself could be in US sights for new sanctions.

As for Maduro, “if he doesn’t fight until the end and decides to go into exile”, then Cuba would be “a logical place to go”.

Even if Venezuela’s socialist regime falls, Cuba will likely remain tied to it for longer yet.

“The US will consider sanctions off-ramps for any Venezuelan senior military officer that stands for democracy and recognises the constitutional government of President Juan Guaido,” John Bolton said on Twitter.

“If not, the international financial circle will be closed off completely,” he added, urging the officers to “make the right choice” and align with Guaido instead of embattled President Nicolas Maduro.

The remarks align with those of Trump, who pledged in his State of the Union address Tuesday night to ramp up pressure on Maduro’s socialist government, telling Congress that “we stand with the Venezuelan people in their noble quest for freedom”.

Trump swiftly recognised Guaido, the leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly, after he proclaimed himself acting president of Venezuela last month, and has not ruled out a military intervention in the crisis-wracked country.

Guaido has since been recognised by more than 40 countries.

Trump has appeared to relish the fight against Maduro, a leftist firebrand fond of criticising US foreign policy, who presides over a crumbling economy in which food and basic supplies are scarce and millions have fled to neighbouring countries.

US Senator Marco Rubio, whose parents immigrated to the United States from Cuba, whose communist government backs Maduro, also suggested Washington offer protection for those who turn against Maduro.

He tweeted that Venezuelan military leaders like Vladimir Padrino, the minister of defence, “can play an important role in restoring democracy” in Venezuela.

“And if they do, the US and international community should honour the amnesty offered by the legitimate government,” Rubio said.