Troops bearing patches of Russia’s Wagner Group were seen in Venezuela during protests following Sunday’s disputed election results.
The sighting has raised concerns about Russian involvement in the country’s internal affairs.
The protests erupted in the Venezuelan capital the day after President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the election. The opposition has disputed Maduro’s declaration as fraudulent, stating that after reviewing 73.2% of the voting tallies, their candidate, Edmundo González, had won convincingly.
The Wagner Group, a notorious private military company with a history of training soldiers, escorting politicians, and alleged human rights violations globally, has reportedly been present in Venezuela before. According to Reuters, Wagner Group members were in Caracas in 2019 to provide security for President Maduro following protests against his regime. The group has also trained elite combat units in Venezuela.
Soldiers of the Russian WAGNER group were seen in Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/ISrlE9tPia
— The Spot (@Spotnewsth) August 1, 2024
Venezuela and Russia have maintained close military and economic ties for years. Russia is one of the largest creditors of the Venezuelan government, having extended about $17 billion (€15.6 billion) in loans to Caracas since 2006. Additionally, Russia seeks to secure access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, the largest proven reserves in the world.
The presence of Wagner Group mercenaries in Venezuela is seen as a sign of Russia’s continued support for Maduro’s government. The opposition and international observers have raised alarms about the implications of foreign mercenary involvement in Venezuela’s political and social unrest.
The Wagner Group’s activities have been controversial, with numerous reports of their involvement in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and various African nations. Their methods often include a combination of direct military engagement and support roles, leading to widespread allegations of human rights abuses.