Russian air force planes land in Venezuela carrying troops: reports

[Independent voter]

CARACAS (Reuters) - Two Russian air force planes landed at Venezuela’s main airport on Saturday carrying a Russian defense official and nearly 100 troops, according to media reports, amid strengthening ties between Caracas and Moscow.

A flight-tracking website showed that two planes left from a Russian military airport bound for Caracas on Friday, and another flight-tracking site showed that one plane left Caracas on Sunday.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-v...-idUSKCN1R50NB

This adds to Russia's 400 "mercenaries" they sent to protect President Maduro a couple of months ago.

Is this a sign that President Maduro's hold over power is weakening? He needs outside muscle to stay in power?

[Ubermensch]

This adds to Russia's 400 "mercenaries" they sent to protect President Maduro a couple of months ago.

Is this a sign that President Maduro's hold over power is weakening? He needs outside muscle to stay in power?

They probably anticipate a move by the US and the Russians like having a power presence in South America so they're not about to let it go so easily. Of course, I've been out of the loop for a while so if I'm wrong, let me know and help me get up to speed.

[Shalcker]

RosNeft does have several billions $ buried in Venezuela projects, and Maduro is already moving PVDSA European headquaters to Moscow... so, makes sense to expand defensive options.

And mercenaries (if those are mercenaries) are cheap in big scheme of things.

But i think those are actual troops? Not sure really.

[smityx]

Those arn't Russian troops they are "little green men" on vacation from Crimea. Harmless

[Ealyssa]

if those are mercenaries

The Wagner group is a shell for russian operation without flag.

[Shalcker]

The Wagner group is a shell for russian operation without flag.

If it's tripwire force then it has to be proper Russian soldiers though, not Wagner.

And really, defending Venezuela with a hundred of mercs while it still has entire army on Maduro's side would be ridiculous.

[Nefastus]

As usual in the wrong side. Maduro is a bloodthirsty dictator, its so sad what he and Chavez did to Venezuela. Lived there for a while almost 20 years ago. They destroyed the country.

[Ihavewaffles]

As usual in the wrong side. Maduro is a bloodthirsty dictator, its so sad what he and Chavez did to Venezuela. Lived there for a while almost 20 years ago. They destroyed the country.

Maduro is elected, nobody elected guaido.

[smityx]

Operation: Oil grab

[Nefastus]

Maduro is elected, nobody elected guaido.

Lol, elected. Like Saddam was always elected. Please, you know better.

The man is a butcher. Should be hanged like Saddam was. In fact Saddam was a nice guy compared to Maduro.

- - - Updated - - -

Operation: Oil grab

Operation: Save inocent civilians from pyschopath. People in there are begging for people to save them. You got no idea the misery Maduro is imposing to that people. BTW before "it was the USA sactions!" situation is awful since the beggining of this century. In 2002 situation was already shitty in there, with markets lacking main products and so forth.

[Mihalik]

If it's tripwire force then it has to be proper Russian soldiers though, not Wagner.

And really, defending Venezuela with a hundred of mercs while it still has entire army on Maduro's side would be ridiculous.

The entire army isn't with Maduro. There have been officers who backed Guaido publicly and relatively recently members of the military have fired upon the Maduro government.

With the escalating crisis there's a risk that either some enterprising generals or colonels would see this as an opportunity to "reform" the government to popular acclaim or just that certain army units might decide to put an end to this circus by force.

Having the Russians there is just an insurance policy on behalf of Maduro who clearly has doubts about the loyalties of the military.

And it's not a tripwire force, Russia has neither the means nor the will to seriously fight for Maduro if regime change by military force becomes US policy.

[RickJamesLich]

Operation: Oil grab

Honestly if it means the citizens have food to eat, have jobs where they can actually make a living, can experience freedom, etc, I think most of them would gladly give up the oil. The oil is a big part of the reason they are in the mess that is going on right now anyways.

[lummiuster]

This adds to Russia's 400 "mercenaries" they sent to protect President Maduro a couple of months ago.

Is this a sign that President Maduro's hold over power is weakening? He needs outside muscle to stay in power?

No it is not a sign that Maduro's power is weakening. It is exactly the opposite. This whole story is a coup initiated by Washington to change their president and to steal their oil. To do so, Washington invited many allies to bully Venezuela all together (like they did with Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Iran...).
Russian troops and China's support is a very strong message to Washington and its group that Venezuela is not alone and has very powerful allies on its side.
Before this event, we thought stealing their oil would be as simple as stealing a candy from a child. Today we understand that it is a much more challenging matter that we might fail.
It is also clearly an opportunity for Russia and China to demonstrate their power and to show they are more capable than USA. It is guaranteed that if USA fails its mission there, China and Russia will start opposing all american intervention throughout the world. You can be certain that if Washington fails, in future conflicts, neutral countries will not side by Washington easily as they will understand that their future is at serious risk.
Keep in mind that USA just lost their proxy war in Syria against Russia. Their initial plan was to topple Bashar Al Assad (EU and USA kept saying he must go at any price) and to elect a pet-president which would do whatever Washington wants and give their resources. Recently, Washington and EU stopped saying that Bashar has to go as they realized that it is impossible because of Russia. Trump knows it and he rather quit Syria asap than wasting money to maintain troops that can't progress at all.

- - - Updated - - -

Lol, elected. Like Saddam was always elected. Please, you know better.

The man is a butcher. Should be hanged like Saddam was. In fact Saddam was a nice guy compared to Maduro.

- - - Updated - - -



Operation: Save inocent civilians from pyschopath. People in there are begging for people to save them. You got no idea the misery Maduro is imposing to that people. BTW before "it was the USA sactions!" situation is awful since the beggining of this century. In 2002 situation was already shitty in there, with markets lacking main products and so forth.

I dont know which propaganda channel you watch but Maduro hasn't killed anyone. Venezuelan elected Maduro democratically (even if mainstream liars tell you otherwise). Washington is trying to "restore democracy" by imposing Venezuelan a "pet-president" that nobody voted for. (This fake president already told Washington he would grant Americans access to their oil once things are over -____-)

[Crispin]

So, the Monroe doctrine kicking in? Not quite sure Russia realises that they're putting US credibility on test.

[lummiuster]

Honestly if it means the citizens have food to eat, have jobs where they can actually make a living, can experience freedom, etc, I think most of them would gladly give up the oil. The oil is a big part of the reason they are in the mess that is going on right now anyways.

No. Every time USA invades a country to "free" them from a dictator, the people end up in a much worst state than before. Look at Libya, this country was doing so great, now people are starving and they even brought back slavery. On top of it, they can't even use oil money to buy food because western powers took it all.

[RickJamesLich]

No. Every time USA invades a country to "free" them from a dictator, the people end up in a much worst state than before. Look at Libya, this country was doing so great, now people are starving and they even brought back slavery. On top of it, they can't even use oil money to buy food because western powers took it all.

There's definitely instances where US intervention has made things better though. See South Korea and then look at North Korea.

[Kralljin]

Private companies doing the job that previously official states military did?

No idea how long they've been doing this, but i know that the same shit happened in the Metal Gear series.

[Projectmars]

No it is not a sign that Maduro's power is weakening. It is exactly the opposite. This whole story is a coup initiated by Washington to change their president and to steal their oil. To do so, Washington invited many allies to bully Venezuela all together (like they did with Iraq, Syria, Libya, Afghanistan, Iran...).
Russian troops and China's support is a very strong message to Washington and its group that Venezuela is not alone and has very powerful allies on its side.
Before this event, we thought stealing their oil would be as simple as stealing a candy from a child. Today we understand that it is a much more challenging matter that we might fail.
It is also clearly an opportunity for Russia and China to demonstrate their power and to show they are more capable than USA. It is guaranteed that if USA fails its mission there, China and Russia will start opposing all american intervention throughout the world. You can be certain that if Washington fails, in future conflicts, neutral countries will not side by Washington easily as they will understand that their future is at serious risk.
Keep in mind that USA just lost their proxy war in Syria against Russia. Their initial plan was to topple Bashar Al Assad (EU and USA kept saying he must go at any price) and to elect a pet-president which would do whatever Washington wants and give their resources. Recently, Washington and EU stopped saying that Bashar has to go as they realized that it is impossible because of Russia. Trump knows it and he rather quit Syria asap than wasting money to maintain troops that can't progress at all.

Plus there's the fact that Putin is psychotic enough to nuke first.

[Klaiden Potugye]

This adds to Russia's 400 "mercenaries" they sent to protect President Maduro a couple of months ago.

Is this a sign that President Maduro's hold over power is weakening? He needs outside muscle to stay in power?

When started reading OP headline, I imagined "Russian air force planes land in Venezuela carrying food".
But, alas, no. Same shit as usual.

[Wilian]

There's definitely instances where US intervention has made things better though. See South Korea and then look at North Korea.

Korean War was UN operation and the division between N. Korea and S. Korea was a remnant of WW2, not result of that war.