Troops bearing insignia associated with Russia's Wagner Group have been observed among Venezuelan security forces during protests following the July 28 disputed presidential election, raising concerns about foreign involvement in the country's internal affairs.

Video footage circulating on social media appears to show a man in camouflage wearing a Wagner Group patch featuring the distinct skull and crossbones logo, standing alongside Venezuelan police officers during demonstrations in Caracas. The sighting, which bne Intellinews has not independently verified, has sparked alarm among opposition groups and international observers.

Protests broke out in the Venezuelan capital after the incumbent Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the election.

The National Electoral Council (CNE), led by Maduro ally Elvis Amoroso, announced that with 80% of ballots counted, Maduro had secured 51% of the vote compared to 44% for opposition candidate Edmundo González. However, the opposition swiftly rejected these results, asserting that their own tallies showed González winning with a commanding 70% of the votes. The CNE has so far refused to release detailed vote tallies, sparking nationwide demonstrations and drawing international condemnation even from former allies such as Colombia and Brazil. For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Maduro on his re-election, stating that he will "always be a welcome guest in Moscow."

This is not the first reported instance of Wagner Group presence in Venezuela. In 2019, Reuters reported that up to 400 Wagner mercenaries were deployed to Caracas to bolster security for President Maduro during a period of unrest that followed a contested election. The private military company has also been involved in training elite Venezuelan combat units.

The Wagner Group, founded by deceased tycoon Yevgeny Prigozhin and known for its global operations and alleged human rights violations, has been active in various conflicts, including in Syria, Ukraine, and several African nations. Their methods often combine direct military engagement with support roles, as they provide consulting and advisory to local armies. Prigozhin, a former Putin ally, fell out with the Russian leader after an attempted mutiny in June 2023; he died two months later in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances. Since then, Wagner has been reportedly brought firmly under Kremlin control.

Venezuela and Russia have long-standing military and economic ties. Russia is a major creditor to the Venezuelan government, having extended approximately $17bn in loans since 2006. Moscow, through its state-controlled energy firm Rosneft, also maintains interest in Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the world's largest proven deposits.

In recent years, Russia dispatched a number of nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers to the South American nation to help revamp its ailing air force.

The alleged presence of Wagner Group personnel during this politically sensitive time underscores Russia's continued support for the Maduro regime. It also highlights growing international concern over the influenceå of foreign mercenaries in Venezuela's ongoing political and social turmoil.

Opposition leaders and international actors have called for an investigation into the role of Russian mercenaries in Venezuela, warning of the potential implications for the country's sovereignty and democratic processes.