Two planes belonging to the Russian Air Force arrived in Caracas,
Venezuela over the weekend. The planes were an IL-62 passenger jet, and
an AN-124 cargo plane, which were carrying Russian officials as well as an estimated 100 Russian troops.
The plane trip was subject to considerable speculation, coming amid US
efforts to impose regime change within Venezeula. Russia said that the
officials were sent there for “consultations,” which are related to
existing Russo-Venezuelan military contracts.
The Maduro government did not include a lot of details in their own
comments, either, with the Information Ministry so far refusing comment.
There are reports that the Russians are to be sending a shipment of
medicine to Venezuela soon.
The move is likely intended primarily as a show of support for the
Maduro government amid US threats to see him removed from power one way
or another. Russia is one of several nations that remains on good terms
with Venezuela, and has objected to US attempts to try to replace Maduro
with a more US-friendly choice.
Russian Air Force Planes Land in Venezuela, Carrying Troops
Officials sent to Caracas for 'consultations'
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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