On October 26, 2025, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane linked to the Russian military landed in Caracas, Venezuela, following a covert journey that avoided Western airspace. This event underscores Russia’s growing strategic presence in Latin America, coinciding with the ratification of a Russia-Venezuela strategic cooperation treaty, which enhances military and humanitarian collaboration. Concurrently, the US has intensified its military activities in the Caribbean, deploying advanced assets like the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. This rising tension reflects the broader contest for influence between Russia and the US, highlighting the need for India to monitor the evolving geopolitical landscape that affects global security dynamics, particularly in maritime and energy sectors.