Russian Colonel General Oleg Makarevich‘s Alleged Role in Venezuela
Reports indicate that Russian Colonel General oleg Makarevich, identified by Ukrainian intelligence as a leader of a Russian military mission in Venezuela, is involved in training Venezuelan forces in advanced military tactics. This follows years of documented Russian military presence and activity within the country, as reported by journalist Sebastiana Barráez of Infobae over the past decade.
Barráez’s reporting has consistently highlighted Russian involvement in military and intelligence operations in Venezuela, including drone operations and border incursions. The Venezuelan government has not publicly addressed the presence of Russian troops participating in military activities. Evidence gathered includes reports from September 2019 of approximately 100 Russian citizens wearing Venezuelan military uniforms (“fidelito” green uniform) at the Military Circle of Caracas and Fuerte Tiuna, equipped with service weapons. Similar observations were made by residents along the Colombian border in Táchira in 2019, who identified individuals as Russian based on physical characteristics.
Further reports detail unusual military maneuvers in August 2019 in Rubio, Táchira, where approximately 80 russians and Cubans arrived at Fort Kinimarí, installing radar equipment and antennas reportedly intended to disrupt telecommunications. Witnesses described these individuals wearing protective suits.In October 2020, Russian soldiers, again in Venezuelan uniform, participated in joint exercises in the Gran Sabana, Bolívar state, near the Brazilian border.
A recent report by DW en Español, citing the Ukrainian intelligence report, specifically alleges that Makarevich is leading training in advanced tactics, air defense, and drone management.
Journalist Ricardo Marquina, interviewed by DW en Español, acknowledged the Ukrainian source but affirmed the credibility of the reports regarding Russian military cooperation and the deployment of soldiers for training. He described Makarevich as a veteran of the Russian-Soviet army who was reassigned to Venezuela following the Russian army’s setbacks in the kherson region of Ukraine.
Political analyst Alexandra Sitenco, also speaking with DW en Español, stated that Russia lacks the capacity or obligation to militarily defend Venezuela in the event of US intervention, given its current focus on the conflict in Ukraine and the absence of a formal military alliance between the two countries. Though,Sitenco deemed limited support,including military advice and arms transfers,as plausible. She suggested Russia’s strategy involves ambiguity, combining political statements with limited actions to keep the United States uncertain about its objectives.