The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenski, has condemned the alleged presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group in Venezuela. These mercenaries are reportedly collaborating with government forces to suppress the people demanding transparency in election results.
Zelenski unequivocally denounced the situation, stating, "Wherever these thugs go, they bring death and destabilization."
"This is a blatant example of Russia's shameless interference in the affairs of other countries, as well as their usual strategy of sowing chaos worldwide," Zelenski added, amid the severe crisis in Venezuela over the alleged electoral fraud by Nicolás Maduro.
The Ukrainian President highlighted the hardships faced by the Venezuelan people and emphasized that the only viable solution is through peaceful and democratic processes.
"We see the people of Venezuela are going through a very difficult time. The only way out is through peaceful and democratic procedures, not by sending assassins to further worsen the situation," he remarked.
Zelenski called for respecting the will of the Venezuelan people and condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
"We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and urge everyone to respect the people's choice. True leaders do not hide from their own people behind mercenaries," he emphasized.
The presence of the Wagner Group in Venezuela is not a new phenomenon. In 2019, Reuters reported that this private company, created by a former Russian intelligence service member, was in Venezuela to protect the dictator Nicolás Maduro. It was reported that Maduro was paying at least $240,000 daily for the services of the Wagner Group, founded in 2013 by Dmitry Utkin, who had been involved in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic.
The Wagner Group was financed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the businessman close to Vladimir Putin who later led an attempted coup in August 2023. Their presence in Venezuela follows the pattern of Russian influence in various strategic regions, where Putin seeks to protect his economic and political interests.
Understanding the Wagner Group's Role in Venezuela
This section provides answers to some common questions about the Wagner Group's activities in Venezuela and their broader implications.
Who are the Wagner Group?
The Wagner Group is a private military company founded in 2013 by Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian intelligence officer. They have been involved in various conflicts around the world, including Syria, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic.
What is the Wagner Group's involvement in Venezuela?
The Wagner Group has been reportedly assisting the Venezuelan government in suppressing opposition and maintaining control. Their presence in Venezuela was first reported in 2019, and they are believed to be protecting Nicolás Maduro's regime.
How does the international community view the Wagner Group's actions?
The international community largely condemns the Wagner Group's actions as a form of Russian interference and destabilization. Countries like Ukraine have openly criticized their presence in conflict zones and their role in exacerbating violence and chaos.