Russian Military Cargo Plane Lands in Tense Venezuela

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A Russian transport aircraft, associated with the country’s military and the former Wagner mercenary group, landed in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, over the weekend, signaling an intensified Russian interest in the Latin American region. The Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft followed a multi-stop journey passing through several countries, indicative of the roundabout routes taken to bypass Western airspace or potential cargo inspections. The aircraft, capable of transporting up to 50 tons of cargo or 200 individuals, has been utilized in the past for delivering small arms, military supplies, and even mercenaries. The operator of the Ilyushin, Aviacon Zitotrans, faces sanctions from the U.S., Canada, and Ukraine due to its connections to the Russian military. The arrival of the aircraft coincides with escalating tensions between Venezuela, a Moscow-aligned country, and the United States, with the latter accusing the Caracas government of involvement in the illegal drug trade and deploying military assets to the region.

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