Russia and Venezuela to conduct joint naval excercises in Caribbean

Russia is continuing to build its relationships in Latin America, according to our latest dispatch from Chris Kraul.

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela's government has announced that his nation will carry out joint naval exercises with four Russian vessels in the Caribbean this year -- a move that will do nothing to improve strained relations between the oil-rich Latin American nation and the United States. Writes Kraul:

Venezuela's naval intelligence chief, Adm. Salbatore Cammarata Bastidas, said in a statement that a task force including four Russian naval vessels and 1,000 Russian military personnel would take part in mid-November exercises with Venezuelan frigates, patrol boats, submarines and aircraft.

The announcement came shortly after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's deployment of several warships to the Black Sea in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Georgia last month would not go unanswered. It was not immediately clear whether the two events were linked.

The Russian agreement to send ships also could be seen as part of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's campaign to build up his military, an effort that includes arms deals, a proposed hemispheric South American Defense Council and a recent decree that gives his armed forces a greater role in carrying out his social agenda.

Last week, we reported that Russia was also showing a renewed interest in its formed Cold War ally Cuba -- read that dispatch here on La Plaza.

For more on Venezuela's upcoming naval exercise with Russia, click here.

Go here for more on Venezuela and here for more about Cuba.

Comments

[Joaquin Cadena]

ARRIBA VENEZUELA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ARRIBA RUSSIA.....

[DRadov]

Russians are coming.... To bring you the money stolen from Russians, sell their brains (educated in non democratic but superb education system) and make America still a descent diverse and INTELLIGENT place

[johnny]

John Mcain all the way

[Country]

If u have not watched the movie Red Dawn do so this is identical to what is going on now with russia and venezuela

[steve]

obama will let venezuala and russia march right in to the USA please vote MCcain

[Marcos El Malo]

Go ahead and blame Bush for his terrible leadership that has allowed events to come to this pass. But don't forget that Hugo Chavez is a wanna-be dictator that is using any and all tactics and dirty tricks to squelch dissent and opposition. Perhaps the NEXT president, whether it be Obama or McCain, will pay more attention to Latin America, and stop the spread of Totalitarianism.

[unforgiven]

'Baked beans' Bush.
Time to hit 'thet dusty trail agin' and compensate for your draft dodging fibre-less past by donning your trusty old bomber jacket, 'Trigger', again!

Judging by current events between Russia and Venezuela your messianic machinations with your defence-shield seem to have destroyed the progress painstakingly achieved with Russia prior to your tenure of office; and brought the major powers closer to a nuclear confrontation once more.

..Pardner, hope you're mighty keen on baked beans.
After you 'win your war', you might jest have to chew on them for the rest of your days down in your lil' ol' radiation bunker, deep in the heart of -
whatever is left.

[southoc]

ww III on the way