Ukrainian intelligence reports that Russian Army General Oleg Leontievich Makarevich, accused of overseeing the destruction of Ukraine's Nova Kakhovka dam, is now heading a military advisory mission in Venezuela. Makarevich is in charge of more than 120 troops who are training Venezuelan forces on a wide range of military functions. Those activities are reported to be not in reaction to the current US military buildup in the region.
Note that in an unusual move, the US CJCS is visiting troops in Puerto Rico. A COCOM CDR would usually conduct such a mission. In this case, that would be SOUTHCOM CDR ADM Admiral Alvin Holsey, but he abruptly resigned a few months ago.
Link: CJCS in Puerto Rico
Earlier this year the Kremlin discreetly sent instructors from an elite unit to Venezuela in an Il-76 aircraft to train the local army in FPV and wire-guided drones.
