Share and Follow
Nicolas Maduro, the embattled leader of Venezuela, is finding himself under increasing pressure. The United States is ramping up its military presence in the Caribbean, prompting Maduro to seek aid from his allies in Moscow, Beijing, and Tehran.
The U.S. has strategically positioned a significant military force in the Caribbean, with the final component, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, expected to arrive by early next week. This buildup, as detailed in previous reports, suggests a critical moment is approaching. The amassed forces are poised for action, as failure to deploy them could be perceived as a hollow threat and an embarrassing retreat.
Historically, Russia has been vocal in its support for both Hugo Chavez and Maduro. However, this time their response has been notably subdued, likely due to their own ongoing challenges in Ukraine, which have stretched their resources thin. Diplomatic channels have also been quiet, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirming that Venezuela has not been a topic of discussion with President Trump. Despite this silence, Venezuela and Russia have renewed their “strategic partnership,” extending cooperation across various sectors like energy and security. While Maduro may view this alliance as a lifeline, it also risks escalating tensions further.
Rumors have surfaced on Russian social media suggesting that elements of the Wagner Group, a private military company, have been sent to Venezuela. While intended as a display of support, this move is more likely to provoke than to deter.
The last engagement between U.S. forces and the Wagner Group did not end favorably for the latter, adding another layer of complexity to the current situation.
Russian social media accounts claim that the remnants of Wagner Group PMC have been deployed to Venezuela. This is supposed to show support…I guess…but it is more a provocation than a deterrent.
🚨BREAKING NEWS
PMC Wagner group deployed to Venezuela.🇷🇺🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/0kVqRfxoao
— Aleksey Berezutski 🇷🇺🎖 (@aleksbrz11) October 27, 2025
The last time U.S. forces confronted Wagner Group, it didn’t turn out all that well.
BACKGROUND:
Three Hundred Dead and Wounded Russians Are a Reminder of US Airpower in Syria – RedState
How the U.S. Firepower Turned Russia’s “Gray Zone” Attack Blood Red – RedState
Russian aircraft associated with gun running and other illegal enterprises have flown to Caracas, Venezuela, recently.
Russia remains the primary lifeline for Maduro. On Sunday, an Ilyushin Il-76 — one of the Russian aircraft sanctioned in 2023 by the United States for participating in the arms trade and transporting mercenaries — arrived in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, after a circuitous route over Africa to avoid Western airspace, according to Flightradar24. The Kremlin declined to comment on the letter, but on Friday evening, the Foreign Ministry said Moscow supports Venezuela “in defending its national sovereignty” and stands “ready to respond appropriately to the requests of our partners in light of emerging threats.”
russia may be sending mercenaries and weapons to Venezuela, which is on the verge of war with the US – yesterday, a russian Il-76 transport plane landed in Caracas.
What is known about the aircraft:
— Departure was on October 22 from Moscow;
— There were stopovers in Yerevan,… pic.twitter.com/bwHTmkSFND— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) October 27, 2025
🚨 BREAKING: RUSSIA’S GIANT CARGO LANDS IN VENEZUELA 🇻🇪🇷🇺
A massive Russian Antonov An-124 cargo aircraft has landed in Caracas under heavy security, sparking speculation that advanced S-400 air defense systems or new missile components may be onboard. pic.twitter.com/xiS3C9VK6x
— World War 3 (@Worldwar_3_) October 31, 2025
russia may be sending mercenaries and weapons to Venezuela, which is on the verge of war with the US – yesterday, a russian Il-76 transport plane landed in Caracas.
What is known about the aircraft:
— Departure was on October 22 from Moscow;
— There were stopovers in Yerevan, Algiers, Rabat, Dakar, and Nouakchott;
— This airline is already under sanctions for transporting cargo on behalf of Wagner, transporting weapons and ammunition to Venezuela and Africa.
What these Kremlin actions mean:
— Either the delivery of any type of weapons from russia and Africa to Venezuela
— Or the use of mercenaries affiliated with the former Wagner.
Should the Americans nevertheless launch a ground invasion of Venezuela, and the russian supply involved human resources, the US will encounter Wagner fighters with combat experience in Africa, Syria, and Ukraine, and with FPV drones.
An Il-76 can carry up to 50 tons, enough for small arms shipments or 100–200 personnel, but not a full battery like the S-400 (which would require multiple flights).
Of course, putin could also send a few thousand russian babushkas to Venezuela; we don’t know.
Maduro is also reaching out to China and Iran for aid.
Maduro, according to the documents, also composed a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping seeking “expanded military cooperation” between their two countries to counter “the escalation between the U.S. and Venezuela.”
In the letter, Maduro asked the Chinese government to expedite Chinese companies’ production of radar detection systems, presumably so Venezuela could enhance its capabilities.
The documents say Transport Minister Ramón Celestino Velásquez also recently coordinated a shipment of military equipment and drones from Iran while planning a visit to that country. He told an Iranian official that Venezuela was in need of “passive detection equipment,” “GPS scramblers” and “almost certainly drones with 1,000 km [600 mile] range,” the documents state.
“In the missive, Maduro emphasized the seriousness of perceived U.S. aggression in the Caribbean, framing U.S. military action against Venezuela as action against China due to their shared ideology,” the U.S. documents state.
Chinese aid is unlikely, but it would not be shocking for U.S. forces to encounter Shahed attack drones like those used by Russia.
My view is that Maduro may have overestimated the risk Russia is willing to incur to come to his aid. Relations between the U.S. and Russia are tense, despite the happy talk President Trump uses, and a false step by Putin, like more than token support to Maduro, could result in the U.S. providing much more aid to Ukraine than it is. In the past, Russia has sent transports and combat vessels to the region to tweak the U.S. (see A Russian Submarine and Frigate Visit Havana – Now Let the Panic Begin – RedState), this time: crickets. An Il-76 showing up in Caracas makes a great photo op, but it can’t carry meaningful amounts of equipment.
Russia is in a position where it must show some support; otherwise, it would be seen as cravenly abandoning a “strategic partnership.” But too much support is going to be very painful as well as ineffectual.
The Schumer Shutdown is here. Rather than put the American people first, Chuck Schumer and the radical Democrats forced a government shutdown for healthcare for illegals. They own this. Help us continue to report the truth about the Schumer Shutdown. Use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership.
