VENEZUELA 10-14 November 2008 Russia, Venezuela hold joint naval exercises

Joint Venezuelan-Russian naval exercises planned for November in the Caribbean are expected to raise tensions with the United States. The two main issues between the two powers are Russia's invasion of Georgia in August and US plans to station missile bases in Poland and the Czech Republic. Russia's arrival in the region is a retaliatory move: the United States has reactivated US Navy Fourth Fleet patrols in Latin America for the first time in over 50 years. 

The Russian navy has not previously carried out military exercises in Latin America.

Four Russian ships and 1000 soldiers are expected in Venezuela for the exercises. The Venezuelan air force will also take part.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russia to retool his country's aging weapons and says he is also interested in a missile defense system. Sep/09

RELATED READING:

Venezuela plans Russia navy visit (BBC 7 Sep 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7602530.stm

Russian, Venezuelan navies to hold manouvers in Caribbean (Itar-Tass 7 Sep 2008)
http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=13047541&PageNum=0