US operation in Venezuela could give Washington access to Russian weapons
Illustrative photo: Operation in Venezuela gives the US access to Russian weapons (GettyImages)
After the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the US announced its readiness to temporarily take control of the country until a safe transfer of power can be achieved. This move could give America access to Russian weapons, according to Defence Express.
If a US-friendly government is formed in Caracas, American military and defense experts could gain access to the entire arsenal of the Venezuelan armed forces.
It includes Russian weapons that Moscow has supplied to the country in recent years. This allows the Pentagon to study in detail the systems that have long been of interest to American intelligence.
What weapons are of interest to the US
Among the most valuable samples, analysts name the S-300VM anti-aircraft missile systems, supplied by Russia in 2013, as part of two divisions. In October 2025, Russia transferred an unknown number of Pantsir and Buk-M2 systems to Venezuela, which had previously been in service with the country.
Some of the Russian air defense systems may have been destroyed during the American operation near Caracas. The published videos show, in particular, the destruction of at least one Buk-M2 anti-aircraft missile system.
The Su-30MKV fighter jets, which Venezuela began receiving in 2006, are of particular interest to the US. Currently, the country has 21 such aircraft in service. American specialists may also gain access to R-77 air-to-air missiles, which are considered to be among the most advanced in the Russian arsenal.
The US is potentially interested in 300-mm Smerch multiple launch rocket systems, Iranian Mohajer-6 reconnaissance and strike drones, and Chinese VN-16 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles.
The new Venezuelan government will be forced to make decisions about the future of a large fleet of armored vehicles and artillery from Russia, which is difficult to maintain without Russian involvement. Some of these weapons may eventually be decommissioned, sold, or lose their combat capability. At the same time, Washington is likely interested in the gradual disarmament of one of South America's most powerful armed forces and the transition of the country to American weapons systems.
US military operation in Venezuela
On January 3, the United States conducted a large-scale military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. The operation involved the US Air Force, Navy, unmanned aerial vehicles, and CIA agents.
The key objective of the operation was to arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Along with him, US forces took his wife, Cilia Flores, into custody. Both were taken to the US, where they are currently under arrest.
US President Donald Trump published the first photo of Maduro after his arrest, taken on board the American amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima.
On the same day, the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York brought a number of serious charges against Maduro, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, organizing the supply of cocaine to the United States, illegal possession of automatic weapons and explosives, and conspiracy to use them against the United States.
After the arrest of Maduro and his wife, further developments in Venezuela could unfold in several scenarios - from a constitutional transfer of power to a military coup or the complete collapse of the current regime.
The Venezuelan constitution provides for the transfer of presidential powers to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. She has already stated that the government has no information about the whereabouts of Maduro and his wife.
