As tensions simmer in the region with the US build-up of their fleet in and around the Caribbean Sea, seen by some as a threat to Venezuela, a Russian aircraft carrying unknown cargo landed in Venezuela on Sunday afternoon, to add to the already complex standoff involving this country.
00:00The Russian Aleutian IL-76 transport aircraft passed over the northwestern peninsula tip of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday around 1pm, later landing in Caracas, Venezuela, as reported by several media outlets over the last 24 hours.
00:15The landing of the aircraft comes at an especially tense time in the region as the U.S. continue to build up their military presence in and around the Caribbean Sea, while some of its U.S. Army personnel are visiting this country for what Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bissessa has said are training exercises, a claim that the Maduro-led government has dismissed, stating openly the U.S. has ulterior motives to launch an attack on Venezuela from Trinidad and Tobago.
00:40The Russian transport aircraft is linked to the country's military and former Wagner mercenary group signaling heightened Russian interests in the Latin American country.
00:50The cargo brought by the Russian plane is unknown.
00:52The Federation Council of Russia has ratified a strategic partnership with Venezuela.
00:57According to that document, there is an understanding between the countries for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation ensuring international stability and equal and invisible security for all states without exception.
01:10The IL-76 transport aircraft with registration RA-78765 arrived in Caracas on Sunday following a two-day journey that took it from Russia via Armenia, Algeria, Morocco, Senegal and Mauritia to Latin America, the record show.
01:26It appears the aircraft embarked on its ship from an airport in the greater Moscow area with the transponder signal first being picked up shortly after takeoff.
01:35The multi-stop journey is emblematic of the routes used to avoid western airspace or possible cargo inspections in unfriendly countries.
01:43It is also possible that deliveries or pickups were made along the way.
01:47An IL-76 can transport up to 50 tons of cargo or up to 200 people.
01:52Aircrafts of this type are known to have delivered small arms, military supplies and even mercenaries on Russia's behalf in the past.
02:00The Wagner Group has been a key tool used by Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend his country's global geopolitical reach and was particularly active in Africa with reports of some activity in Latin America.
02:11The latest Russian moves in the region come as tensions between Venezuela, a long-time Moscow-aligned country and the United States have reached new heights.
02:19The U.S. has accused the government in Caracas of being involved in illegal drug trade and has deployed military assets to the region to conduct strikes on vessels it accuses of trafficking narcotics.
02:30Washington has recently moved an aircraft carrier strike group to the region in a significant escalation of its military posturing.
02:38Venezuela has accused the U.S. of fabricating war.
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