Zelensky on allegations of Wagner groups in Venezuela: "They bring death and destabilization"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the alleged presence of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner group in Venezuela, collaborating with government forces to suppress the people, who are demanding transparency about the election results in the streets.

Zelenski did not hesitate to condemn the situation and stated that "wherever these thugs go, they bring death and destabilization."

"This is a clear example of Russia's blatant interference in the affairs of other countries, as well as its usual strategy of sowing chaos around the world," Zelenski added, amid the serious situation in Venezuela due to the alleged theft of the elections by Nicolás Maduro.

The Ukrainian president highlighted the difficulties faced by the Venezuelan people and stated that the only viable solution is through peaceful and democratic processes.

"We see that the people of Venezuela are going through a very difficult time. And the only way out is through peaceful and democratic procedures, not sending murderers to exacerbate the situation even further," he commented.

Zelenski urged respect for the will of the Venezuelan people and condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters.

"We condemn the use of force against peaceful protesters and call on everyone to respect the choice of the people. True leaders do not hide from their own people behind the backs of 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 military officer of the Russian intelligence service, was in Venezuela to protect the dictator Nicolás Maduro.

It was reported that Maduro was paying a minimum of $240,000 daily for the services of the Wagner group, founded in 2013 by Dmitri Utkin, who was involved in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and the Central African Republic.

The Wagner group was funded by Evgeny Prigozhin, the businessman close to Vladimir Putin who later was involved in the attempted coup in August 2023.

Their presence in Venezuela follows the footsteps of Russian influence in various strategic regions, where Putin seeks to protect his economic and political interests.