A Russian Ilyushin Il-76TD military transport aircraft has landed in Venezuela, according to flight tracking data and military sources. The aircraft departed from Russia on October 22nd, making multiple refueling stops across Armenia, North Africa, and West Africa before reaching its South American destination.
The airline operating this flight had previously been targeted by U.S. sanctions in January 2023 for transporting personnel associated with sanctioned Russian entities.
This development occurs against the backdrop of heightened military activity in the region. Recent reports indicate Washington has considered potential strikes against narcotics production facilities in Venezuela, while the Pentagon has announced plans to deploy naval assets to the area through its Southern Command.
The arrival of Russian military assets in Venezuela represents the latest chapter in the ongoing strategic competition between global powers in Latin America, where both Moscow and Washington maintain significant security interests.
