Russian warships arrive in Caribbean coast
VENEZUELA - Russian warships neared Venezuela's Caribbean coast on
Tuesday in a show of strength meant to send a cautionary message to the
United States and showcase Moscow's ambitions of making inroads in Latin
America.
The deployment of a naval squadron led by the nuclear-powered cruiser
Peter the Great is the first of its kind in the Caribbean since the Cold
War and was timed to coincide with President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to
Caracas - the first ever by a Russian president.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has eagerly welcomed the Russian
ships for exercises with his navy, basking in the support of a powerful
ally that has sold him billions of dollars in arms and has seen a chill
in its relations with Washington.
Chavez is looking to Russia for help building a nuclear reactor,
investing in oil and natural gas projects and bolstering him and his
leftist allies in limiting U.S. influence in Latin America. But just as
Chavez is being forced to adapt to slumping oil prices, analysts say
energy-rich Russia is also feeling the pinch and for now cannot afford a
major benefactor role in South America.
"This whole crisis has affected Russia," said Ricardo Sucre Heredia,
a Venezuelan political scientist. However, he said, Russia still has an
economic interest in selling more weapons and boosting business in Latin
America, and Venezuela can help to "open the doors."
"It's a win-win relationship for the two countries," Sucre said.
"Russia gains in terms of its international power and its presence, and
Venezuela gains in terms of having an ally."
Medvedev's trip this week to Peru, Brazil, Venezuela and Cuba was
planned before the financial crisis, and Russia will now have to
downsize its ambitions in Latin America because its pockets are no
longer so deep, said Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor of Russia in Global
Affairs Magazine.
CARACAS, Tuesday, AP
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