House Targets Russian Mercenaries in Venezuela
WASHINGTON — Members of the House are advancing a bipartisan initiative to address the issue of Russian mercenaries, particularly those involved in training Venezuela’s military, as revealed by The Post.
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) is set to introduce the Russian Mercenaries Accountability Act 2.0. This bill updates previous legislation that led to the State Department designating the infamous Wagner Group as a foreign terrorist organization.
The proposed legislation seeks to address Wagner’s rebranded factions, such as Afrika Korps, Redut PMC, and Patriot PMC, requiring the U.S. to categorize them as terrorist entities and impose sanctions.
Wilson noted that “[Vladimir] President Putin’s Russia engages in various forms of sabotage, intimidation, and terrorism worldwide. State-sponsored ‘mercenary’ forces are at the forefront, spreading chaos wherever they operate.”
This action comes as Russian private military contractors increasingly support Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, who has faced significant challenges to his authority. Following the capture of Maduro by U.S. forces in January, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed control.
Since 2019, hundreds of Russian contractors have reportedly been aiding the Maduro government, particularly during the presidential crisis, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has frequently expressed concerns regarding drone activities in Venezuela, indicating that adversaries like Iran are developing drone production capabilities in the nation.
Ukrainian intelligence disclosed in November that over 120 Russian military personnel, led by Lieutenant General Oleg Makarevich, have been training Venezuelan paramilitary forces, including infantry and drone operators.
The new bill intends to address a gap created after the mercenary network reorganized under the Russian Ministry of Defense following the death of Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2023.
It would mandate the State Department to regularly review and revise terrorist designations to include newly renamed or successor groups, thereby preventing the Russian government from circumventing sanctions through rebranding.
Additionally, it enhances oversight, requiring the General Accounting Office to review operations while expanding annual reporting on the structure, financing, and effectiveness of Russian mercenaries in Venezuela and beyond.
Other co-sponsors of the bill include notable representatives from both parties, reflecting a growing consensus on this issue.
Supporters argue that this legislation is essential to counter Russia’s expanding influence in Latin America and to mitigate the use of mercenaries bolstering authoritarian regimes.
The advocacy group FDD’s arm commented, “As Russian mercenaries continue to aid dictators in our hemisphere, this bill serves as a crucial tool for safeguarding U.S. national security.”
