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Posted on 02/02/2026 12:06:19 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
Sanctioned Ilyushin Il-76 follows same flight pattern seen before Maduro's capture in Venezuela
A Russian cargo plane typically used to transfer military equipment landed at a military airfield in Havana Sunday night, echoing flight patterns seen ahead of the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
The U.S.-sanctioned Ilyushin Il-76, operated by Russian state-linked airline Aviacon Zitotrans, was tracked landing at San Antonio de los Baños Airfield, a Cuban military installation roughly 30 miles south of Havana, according to public flight data.
Flight-tracking records show the aircraft stopped in St. Petersburg and Sochi in Russia; Mauritania, Africa; and the Dominican Republic. Each landing would have required approval from host governments, offering a window into which countries are continuing to permit Russian military-linked aviation activity despite Western sanctions.
The same aircraft conducted flights to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba in late October 2025, as tensions between Washington and Caracas escalated. That movement preceded U.S. military action in Venezuela that ultimately ended Maduro’s rule — a sequence U.S. officials and analysts have since pointed to as a warning indicator when evaluating similar Russian aviation activity in the region.
Now, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel finds himself under mounting pressure from President Donald Trump, who has sharply intensified U.S. policy toward Havana in recent weeks.
On Thursday, Trump declared a national emergency related to Cuba, asserting that the Cuban government poses an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The administration also said it would impose penalties on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba without U.S. authorization.
Trump confirmed Sunday that the U.S. is engaged in direct talks with Cuban officials.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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Cuba is already an economic basket case, but the lack of oil is grinding the country to a halt. The Cuban people are used to deprivation and hardship, but the severity of the fuel crisis is something on a whole new level. Something’s gotta give soon.
A Cuban dictator’s head on a pole, to scare the Iranian dictator?
Nicaragua will probably be next. Daniel Ortega is the same commie scumbag who took control in the 80s.
Iran has a keen interest in Mauritania, via which they sell drones to the Polisario Front which plagues Morocco.
Cuban citizens don’t have guns, but their dictatorship does. That is where they need to get a gun and then use it to get more guns.
What exactly does sanctioned aircraft mean?
Recall about 1 month ago the US announced a $12B military package for Taiwan. A few days later, not very well covered by our MSM, Beijing announced US defense firms were now sanctioned, as well as executive personnel at those firms.
Which means they cannot fly over BRICs nations without being arrested as sanctioned individuals. And more important, no neodymium magnets will be allowed to Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon or Lockheed . . . until US production arrives in 10-15 yrs.
As of now, Ford is allowed some magnets, provided there is zero indication they find their way to a sanctioned firm. At which time Ford will receive no more.
“Cuban citizens don’t have guns”
***********
True but a good number of them have been indoctrinated for many decades and still support the ‘revolution’. Also, many of the malcontents who might otherwise rise up have long since left the island. In other words, a controllable population.
Not saying things won’t change, just that there won’t likely be a general uprising. The more likely outcome will be something like the transition in Venezuela.
Saint Anthony of the Toilets?
I wonder how far out you have to be for a drone to bring an M16 in? UK, too.
Asking for a friend.
Tony and the Dumpers
I think once Raul Castro kicks the bucket, things will move quickly.
That is how I would interpret that, as well.
Spain really gave the world a huge screwing over.
Russian jets should not be sanctioned because Russia is not our enemy. We can bargain with Russia over its support of Cuba, which is no more dangerous to the USA than China.
Anybody know what was actually on the plane?
Exactly, did it arrive EMPTY? Did it depart FULL? or vice versa?
—” for a drone to bring an M16 in?”
The M4 is about a pound less.
The basic load of an M4 and 7 x 30 mags = about 15 pounds.
But lots of resupplies will be needed.
Unlikely that untrained FNGs will have much in the way of trigger discipline.
“The Cuban government poses an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security”
That’s almost laughable.
Thanks for the reply!
Perhaps I am old, but the only military use I can see for drones is flying in light arms. Send the first in with a note to “hold this position - help is on the way”.
A mix of weapons with shorter and longer range might be needed. The drone’s messages could direct resupply.
I believe that most of the world is in agreement with what America wants. Charles can polish his sword.
I’m surprised the Russians have any planes left that will fly. They certainly don’t have any spare military supplies to give to Cuba.
Maybe they’re there for a pickup?
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