Title: Venezuela Watch
Description: News, infos and updates
Description: News, infos and updates
datu - April 25, 2005 04:18 AM (GMT)
By Pascal Fletcher
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela is ending military operations and exchanges with the United States, President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday, and he ordered out U.S. instructors he said were trying to foment unrest in the barracks against him.
The end of the military cooperation marked a further downgrading of ties between Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter and its main oil customer, the United States.
Warning of a possible U.S. invasion of Venezuela, Chavez said a female U.S. naval officer and some American journalists were temporarily detained in recent separate incidents for photographing a Venezuelan army base and an oil refinery.
The left-wing leader, who often accuses Washington of working to oust him, said a small group of U.S. officers who were teaching and studying in Venezuela had been told to leave. There would be no more joint military exercises, he added.
He was confirming a brief announcement by the U.S. embassy on Friday that five U.S. army, air force and navy officers received orders this week to end their missions in Venezuela.
"Some of them were waging a campaign in the Venezuelan military ... making comments, talking to Venezuelan soldiers, criticizing the president of Venezuela. ... It's better for them to leave," Chavez said in a television broadcast.
The U.S. embassy, which said on Friday it regretted Venezuela's abrupt ending of a 35-year-old military exchange program, did not comment on Sunday about Chavez's comments.
U.S.-Venezuelan ties have turned increasingly sour following a 2002 coup that briefly toppled Chavez and which he says was instigated and backed by Washington.
U.S. officials deny this. But they call the firebrand nationalist leader an anti-U.S. troublemaker and criticize his growing arms purchases and alliances with countries like Cuba and Iran, which are enemies of Washington.
"All exchanges with U.S. officers are suspended until who knows when. ... There'll be no more combined operations, nothing like that," Chavez said.
U.S. WOMAN HELD
He added he did not want U.S. officers "whispering in the ears of our boys, talking to them about communism."
It was not clear whether the move would also end Venezuela's participation in multilateral anti-terrorism and anti-drug smuggling exercises involving U.S. armed forces.
Chavez said a U.S. woman was arrested "a few months ago" taking photos of an army base in Maracay, west of Caracas.
"When her documents were checked -- I have a copy -- she turns out to be a U.S. naval officer," he said, without giving her name.
"If she or any other U.S. officer does this again, they'll be arrested and tried in Venezuela," Chavez said.
He added the journalists, whom he did not identify, were freed after being caught photographing the El Palito oil refinery in Carabobo state.
Other than the Marines who guard the embassy, the United States also has 13 defense attaches in Venezuela.
Ninety Venezuelan officers are attending courses in the United States. Chavez did not say if they would be withdrawn.
Opponents of the president, a former paratrooper who led a failed coup six years before winning a 1998 election, say he has slashed traditional ties with the United States.
"You have to see this from a geopolitical point of view. We're no longer a country allied to the Western hemisphere. We're going to be allied to China or Russia," retired Venezuelan Vice-Admiral Rafael Huizi Clavier told El Universal newspaper on Sunday.
Yahoo!
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela is ending military operations and exchanges with the United States, President Hugo Chavez said on Sunday, and he ordered out U.S. instructors he said were trying to foment unrest in the barracks against him.
The end of the military cooperation marked a further downgrading of ties between Venezuela, the world's No. 5 oil exporter and its main oil customer, the United States.
Warning of a possible U.S. invasion of Venezuela, Chavez said a female U.S. naval officer and some American journalists were temporarily detained in recent separate incidents for photographing a Venezuelan army base and an oil refinery.
The left-wing leader, who often accuses Washington of working to oust him, said a small group of U.S. officers who were teaching and studying in Venezuela had been told to leave. There would be no more joint military exercises, he added.
He was confirming a brief announcement by the U.S. embassy on Friday that five U.S. army, air force and navy officers received orders this week to end their missions in Venezuela.
"Some of them were waging a campaign in the Venezuelan military ... making comments, talking to Venezuelan soldiers, criticizing the president of Venezuela. ... It's better for them to leave," Chavez said in a television broadcast.
The U.S. embassy, which said on Friday it regretted Venezuela's abrupt ending of a 35-year-old military exchange program, did not comment on Sunday about Chavez's comments.
U.S.-Venezuelan ties have turned increasingly sour following a 2002 coup that briefly toppled Chavez and which he says was instigated and backed by Washington.
U.S. officials deny this. But they call the firebrand nationalist leader an anti-U.S. troublemaker and criticize his growing arms purchases and alliances with countries like Cuba and Iran, which are enemies of Washington.
"All exchanges with U.S. officers are suspended until who knows when. ... There'll be no more combined operations, nothing like that," Chavez said.
U.S. WOMAN HELD
He added he did not want U.S. officers "whispering in the ears of our boys, talking to them about communism."
It was not clear whether the move would also end Venezuela's participation in multilateral anti-terrorism and anti-drug smuggling exercises involving U.S. armed forces.
Chavez said a U.S. woman was arrested "a few months ago" taking photos of an army base in Maracay, west of Caracas.
"When her documents were checked -- I have a copy -- she turns out to be a U.S. naval officer," he said, without giving her name.
"If she or any other U.S. officer does this again, they'll be arrested and tried in Venezuela," Chavez said.
He added the journalists, whom he did not identify, were freed after being caught photographing the El Palito oil refinery in Carabobo state.
Other than the Marines who guard the embassy, the United States also has 13 defense attaches in Venezuela.
Ninety Venezuelan officers are attending courses in the United States. Chavez did not say if they would be withdrawn.
Opponents of the president, a former paratrooper who led a failed coup six years before winning a 1998 election, say he has slashed traditional ties with the United States.
"You have to see this from a geopolitical point of view. We're no longer a country allied to the Western hemisphere. We're going to be allied to China or Russia," retired Venezuelan Vice-Admiral Rafael Huizi Clavier told El Universal newspaper on Sunday.
Yahoo!
tirad - April 25, 2005 01:50 PM (GMT)
wooooh. Hugo Chavez keeps upping the ante against the US. Venezuela just bought 100,000 AK-47s, along with MiGs, Russ helos, etc. Interesting how this all ends up. http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20...23420-3113r.htm
Rapidfire - May 2, 2005 05:06 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (tirad @ Apr 25 2005, 09:50 PM) |
| wooooh. Hugo Chavez keeps upping the ante against the US. Venezuela just bought 100,000 AK-47s, along with MiGs, Russ helos, etc. Interesting how this all ends up. http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20...23420-3113r.htm |
Thumbing at the Americans noses.
Yo yo Chavez!
datu - October 17, 2005 08:30 PM (GMT)
http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=1175874&C=airwar
The United States has told Spain it plans to veto the sale of a dozen Spanish-built transport aircraft to Venezuela, with which Washington is on bad terms, the Madrid daily ABC reported Oct. 15.
The twin-engined CASA C-295 has radar and other equipment of U.S. origin, giving the United States power to ban the sale of the planes unless the parts are replaced.
ABC, quoting sources at the Ibero-American summit in Salamanca, attended both by Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, said eight patrol boats were also part of the contract.
Chavez, an elected leftist leader, is highly critical of Washington’s policies in Latin America and the Middle East, and has accused the United States of plotting to kill him.
Earlier this week he ordered a group of evangelical American missionaries out of his country, accusing them of spying for Washington, a charge they denied.
Relations between Madrid and Washington have also cooled since Zapatero’s government pulled Spanish troops out of Iraq in the wake of his election victory in March last year.
---
Venezuela also ordered 8 missile boats from Spain, which icidently was supposed to be armed with Harpoons??? :armyeek:
The United States has told Spain it plans to veto the sale of a dozen Spanish-built transport aircraft to Venezuela, with which Washington is on bad terms, the Madrid daily ABC reported Oct. 15.
The twin-engined CASA C-295 has radar and other equipment of U.S. origin, giving the United States power to ban the sale of the planes unless the parts are replaced.
ABC, quoting sources at the Ibero-American summit in Salamanca, attended both by Spain’s Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero and Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez, said eight patrol boats were also part of the contract.
Chavez, an elected leftist leader, is highly critical of Washington’s policies in Latin America and the Middle East, and has accused the United States of plotting to kill him.
Earlier this week he ordered a group of evangelical American missionaries out of his country, accusing them of spying for Washington, a charge they denied.
Relations between Madrid and Washington have also cooled since Zapatero’s government pulled Spanish troops out of Iraq in the wake of his election victory in March last year.
---
Venezuela also ordered 8 missile boats from Spain, which icidently was supposed to be armed with Harpoons??? :armyeek:
israeli - November 20, 2005 11:23 AM (GMT)
From: Rotorhub.com
Date: November 15, 2005
Venezuela Poised to Take Over as Top Latin American Arms Buyer
NEWTOWN, Conn. [November 14, 2005] — Over the past year Venezuela has adopted a force structure revitalization program that could be worth as much as $30.7 billion through 2012. If fulfilled, this would make the country the leading arms buyer in the region through the rest of the decade.
The revitalization program is being stoked by strong prices for the country’s oil exports, which means that Venezuela can finally address pent-up needs to overhaul an aging force structure. However, according to Forecast International Latin America analyst Tom Baranauskas, “The viability of the revitalization program is very much dependent on oil prices remaining strong, with ambitious government plans to increase social spending also likely to be vying for the windfall oil income.”
While details are sketchy, the Venezuelan Navy itself is planning to spend some VEB2.141 trillion ($998.1 million) on a fleet and equipment revitalization program that will stretch from 2006 to 2010. The planned procurements include 138 naval vessels of all types, including larger patrol ships, smaller coastal and riverine patrol boats, three submarines, and various support ships.
The Air Force has a requirement for as many as 50 fighters, with Russian Su-27s or Chinese J-10s reportedly being considered, and for nearly as many Super Tucano turboprop attack/trainer aircraft. The Army needs at least 30 transport and gunship helicopters, and is in talks to buy light armored vehicles, artillery, and various electronics systems. An air defense upgrade program worth at least $150 million has been launched with the purchase of Chinese JYL-1 3-D radars.
The Venezuelan re-armament has raised some concerns in the region. Neighboring Colombia in particular can ill afford to match Venezuela’s re-armament when it has already made a deep financial commitment to fighting a major insurgency. Nevertheless, local concern is minor compared to the Bush administration, which has painted a rather alarmist view of the future plans of Venezuela’s populist president Hugo Chavez.
One consequence of the tense relations between the U.S. government and Venezuela is that U.S. companies are not likely to garner much of the emerging Venezuelan revitalization market. As it stands, Brazil, China, Russia, and Spain appear to be the favored countries in these procurements.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Latin American defense market is in a quiet phase. Chile has been the most active buyer in recent years, leveraging high copper prices to finish off a major force structure overhaul. The looming purchase of about two-dozen used F-16 fighters and several hundred used Leopard 2 main battle tanks should wrap things up for now. The traditionally strong Brazilian defense market has been rather weak of late, with reduced defense budgets and the Lula government’s political problems both serving to keep a large number of requirements from being fulfilled.
These factors notwithstanding, Forecast International expects military spending in the region to increase modestly from $31.75 billion in 2006 to $33.38 billion annually by 2010. It is important to note, however, that, traditionally, only about 20 percent the country’s military budget is spent on the procurement of weapons and other equipment, with the rest being earmarked for salaries and social benefits.
Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.
Date: November 15, 2005
Venezuela Poised to Take Over as Top Latin American Arms Buyer
NEWTOWN, Conn. [November 14, 2005] — Over the past year Venezuela has adopted a force structure revitalization program that could be worth as much as $30.7 billion through 2012. If fulfilled, this would make the country the leading arms buyer in the region through the rest of the decade.
The revitalization program is being stoked by strong prices for the country’s oil exports, which means that Venezuela can finally address pent-up needs to overhaul an aging force structure. However, according to Forecast International Latin America analyst Tom Baranauskas, “The viability of the revitalization program is very much dependent on oil prices remaining strong, with ambitious government plans to increase social spending also likely to be vying for the windfall oil income.”
While details are sketchy, the Venezuelan Navy itself is planning to spend some VEB2.141 trillion ($998.1 million) on a fleet and equipment revitalization program that will stretch from 2006 to 2010. The planned procurements include 138 naval vessels of all types, including larger patrol ships, smaller coastal and riverine patrol boats, three submarines, and various support ships.
The Air Force has a requirement for as many as 50 fighters, with Russian Su-27s or Chinese J-10s reportedly being considered, and for nearly as many Super Tucano turboprop attack/trainer aircraft. The Army needs at least 30 transport and gunship helicopters, and is in talks to buy light armored vehicles, artillery, and various electronics systems. An air defense upgrade program worth at least $150 million has been launched with the purchase of Chinese JYL-1 3-D radars.
The Venezuelan re-armament has raised some concerns in the region. Neighboring Colombia in particular can ill afford to match Venezuela’s re-armament when it has already made a deep financial commitment to fighting a major insurgency. Nevertheless, local concern is minor compared to the Bush administration, which has painted a rather alarmist view of the future plans of Venezuela’s populist president Hugo Chavez.
One consequence of the tense relations between the U.S. government and Venezuela is that U.S. companies are not likely to garner much of the emerging Venezuelan revitalization market. As it stands, Brazil, China, Russia, and Spain appear to be the favored countries in these procurements.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Latin American defense market is in a quiet phase. Chile has been the most active buyer in recent years, leveraging high copper prices to finish off a major force structure overhaul. The looming purchase of about two-dozen used F-16 fighters and several hundred used Leopard 2 main battle tanks should wrap things up for now. The traditionally strong Brazilian defense market has been rather weak of late, with reduced defense budgets and the Lula government’s political problems both serving to keep a large number of requirements from being fulfilled.
These factors notwithstanding, Forecast International expects military spending in the region to increase modestly from $31.75 billion in 2006 to $33.38 billion annually by 2010. It is important to note, however, that, traditionally, only about 20 percent the country’s military budget is spent on the procurement of weapons and other equipment, with the rest being earmarked for salaries and social benefits.
Forecast International, Inc. is a leading provider of Market Intelligence and Analysis in the areas of aerospace, defense, power systems and military electronics. Based in Newtown, CT, USA, Forecast International specializes in long-range industry forecasts and market assessments utilized by strategic planners, marketing professionals, military organizations, and governments worldwide.
possible - November 29, 2005 08:08 PM (GMT)
Venezuelan military deal woes Washington
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez signed a $2 billion deal on Monday to buy naval ships and transport aircraft from Spain in a military transaction Washington worries could threaten regional stability.
Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono signed the contract in Caracas for four coastal patrol ships, four corvettes, 10 C-295 transport planes and two maritime surveillance planes as part of a broader program to modernize Venezuela's armed forces.
The dispute with Washington over the Spanish military contracts has highlighted the growing gulf between the United States and key oil supplier Venezuela over Chavez's influence in Latin America.
"The U.S. government's negative reaction to this deal was part of the concept they want to impose on the world," Chavez said at the signing ceremony. "This act today, more than just a commercial act, it is one of dignity."
Bono told reporters the estimated cost of the deal was around 1.7 billion euros or $2 billion. Earlier Spanish estimates put the cost at around $1.56 billion.
Flush with cash from high oil prices, Venezuela has signed deals this year for Brazilian aircraft, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and Russian military helicopters to beef up its presence along the border with Colombia and revamp its armed forces.
The military spending spree has stirred concern in Washington which is increasingly at odds with the Venezuelan leader over his self-described socialist revolution. U.S. officials brand Chavez a regional menace and worry about his close alliance with Cuba.
U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
U.S. ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, last week made Washington's opposition clear and said the government was considering restricting the transfer of U.S. military technology involved in the deal. The aircraft have 50 to 60 percent of U.S. components and would require a U.S. export license.
Venezuela says other countries could supply the technology if necessary. Venezuelan naval commander Armando Laguna said delivery of the ships and planes would be completed in 2010.
Bono on Monday defended the sale and argued that the vessels and aircraft sold to Venezuela could be used for rescue and anti-drug operations.
The contract, one of the biggest military deals in Spanish history, would provide a much-needed financial boast to Spain's struggling shipyards. The aircraft will be supplied by European manufacturer EADS-CASA, and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia will make the vessels.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5112800689.html
C-295 clinches another victory. the ships are probably OPVs and a non-AEGIS version of the AFCON corvette from Navantia.
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez signed a $2 billion deal on Monday to buy naval ships and transport aircraft from Spain in a military transaction Washington worries could threaten regional stability.
Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono signed the contract in Caracas for four coastal patrol ships, four corvettes, 10 C-295 transport planes and two maritime surveillance planes as part of a broader program to modernize Venezuela's armed forces.
The dispute with Washington over the Spanish military contracts has highlighted the growing gulf between the United States and key oil supplier Venezuela over Chavez's influence in Latin America.
"The U.S. government's negative reaction to this deal was part of the concept they want to impose on the world," Chavez said at the signing ceremony. "This act today, more than just a commercial act, it is one of dignity."
Bono told reporters the estimated cost of the deal was around 1.7 billion euros or $2 billion. Earlier Spanish estimates put the cost at around $1.56 billion.
Flush with cash from high oil prices, Venezuela has signed deals this year for Brazilian aircraft, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and Russian military helicopters to beef up its presence along the border with Colombia and revamp its armed forces.
The military spending spree has stirred concern in Washington which is increasingly at odds with the Venezuelan leader over his self-described socialist revolution. U.S. officials brand Chavez a regional menace and worry about his close alliance with Cuba.
U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
U.S. ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, last week made Washington's opposition clear and said the government was considering restricting the transfer of U.S. military technology involved in the deal. The aircraft have 50 to 60 percent of U.S. components and would require a U.S. export license.
Venezuela says other countries could supply the technology if necessary. Venezuelan naval commander Armando Laguna said delivery of the ships and planes would be completed in 2010.
Bono on Monday defended the sale and argued that the vessels and aircraft sold to Venezuela could be used for rescue and anti-drug operations.
The contract, one of the biggest military deals in Spanish history, would provide a much-needed financial boast to Spain's struggling shipyards. The aircraft will be supplied by European manufacturer EADS-CASA, and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia will make the vessels.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5112800689.html
C-295 clinches another victory. the ships are probably OPVs and a non-AEGIS version of the AFCON corvette from Navantia.
Wardog - November 29, 2005 11:37 PM (GMT)
I'm cheering for Spain on this. Time to stand up against the US dictating almost every arms purchase and sale.
Hugo Chavez is not that much of a threat anyway, I don't think he is insane enough to take on the Americans.
Hugo Chavez is not that much of a threat anyway, I don't think he is insane enough to take on the Americans.
datu - November 30, 2005 01:10 AM (GMT)
Wardog said:
| QUOTE |
| Hugo Chavez is not that much of a threat anyway, I don't think he is insane enough to take on the Americans. |
True, alot of the equipment Venezuela has been buying are replacements. Even if it isnt Chavez in power, theyd still want to go ahead with the weapons purchases. For example the 10? CN295 is to replace the 9 G.222 which is already suffering of old age. The 100,000AK sale is to replace the older FN-FALs that equip the Venezuelan Army, National Guard. The 24 Super Tucano deal is for supplementing eventually replacing OV-10 in the border security/COIN/counter narcotics/FAC task. According to http://www.fav-club.com/flash/fn38.htm, the ships negotiated with Spain are said to be 4 missile corvettes/frigates and 4 OPV, these are intended to replace the 2 more than 50 year old Almirante Clemente-class frigates, although these 2 ships serve in the CoastGuard. Venezuela cancelled? 2 big purchases in the MB-339 to replace the Buckeyes, and AMX-T to replace the F-5s, dunno if these are going to be reordered. There were talks about Mig-29 to replace the Mirage fleet but now it seems they are looking at Sukhois.
Also interesting to note is that the 6 Lupo class frigates are currently undergoing overhauls and upgrades with Northrop Grumman, the first 2 done in the US, the other 4 are done in Venezuela with NG providing expertise and oversight. Also interesting is the past Spanish government actually offered Colombia a squadron's worth of Mirage F-1 and AMX-30 MBTs, the MirageF-1 deal the Colombians declined on US pressure, the AMX-30 offer taken off the table by the present Spanish government.
As a "consolation price" for Spain signing the ship/plane deal with Venezuela, Spain "offered Colombia 21 planes made by EADS-CASA, at a very reasonable price and had thrown in four helicopters for nothing." Read here for more:
http://defensenews.com/story.php?F=1383288&C=europe
possible - December 24, 2005 10:01 PM (GMT)
forgot to follow this up. some specs:
| QUOTE |
| NAVANTIA SIGNS 8 PATROL VESSELS FOR VENEZUELA 11/28/05 Navantia and the Navy of Venezuela signed on 28th. November a contract for the construction of 8 patrol vessels for a total amount of more than 1,2 billion euros: 4 patrols for the control and protection of the exclusive economic area and 4 patrols for the control of the coast. These ships have been designed by Navantia for defence missions of the sea around Venezuela: protection of the fishing area, protection against smuggling and drug traffic, as well as the defence of the maritime traffic in general. Besides the important work for the shipyards of Navantia until 2.012, this contract means an important commercial milestone for the company, as it outlines its position in this market, with an own last generation project. Main characteristics: Coast Vessels: Length: 76.10 m. Width: 11.50 m. Depth: 7 m. Displacment: 1,500 t. Speed: 22 knots Autonomy: 4,000 miles Crew: 34 + 30 Economic Area Vessels: Length: 96.60 m. Width: 13.60 m. Depth: 7.20 m. Displacment: 2,300 t. Speed: 24 knots Autonomy: 3,500 miles Crew: 60 + 32 http://www.navantia.es/cgi-bin/run.dll/ext...jsp/programa.do |
so $1.4 billion buys you a navy these days. according to the authoritative Venezuelan enthusiast site FAV Club, these vessels will be based on the Buque de Acción Marítima Oceánico BAM design ordered by the Armada Espanol earlier this year.
http://www.armada.mde.es/esp/ElFuturo/bam/...sp?SecAct=05204
url=http://www.belt.es/noticias/2005/mayo/25/fa.JPG, http://www.belt.es/noticias/2005/mayo/25/armamento.asp
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/archivos/pdf/buque.pdf
approx. $100 million each for the Spanish version. interestingly, these ships resemble the Dutch Damen/Schelde SIGMA corvettes controversially ordered by Indonesia. wouldn't be surprising if they share the same basic design since the Spanish Galicia LPDs and Patino AORLs are licence-built to Dutch plans (see Enforcer family of LPD/LPHs.)
as missile armament for their new ships, the Venezuelan Armada is allegedly eyeing the Block 3 version of the MM40 Exocet missile.
muy buen trabajo, senor Chavez :urock:
israeli - December 25, 2005 07:04 PM (GMT)
^ eventually, if Venezuela does push through with the purchase of those Spanish-made stuff and those Russian-made MRFs, it might just surpass Brazil, Argentina and Chile as the more powerful country in Latin America. it will also prompt the US to pour in more military aid to Colombia in order for it to develop a credible external defense capability.
oh well... i wish the Philippines can do the same thing that Venezuela is doing now (minus us offending the Americans, of course). :armyroleyes:
oh well... i wish the Philippines can do the same thing that Venezuela is doing now (minus us offending the Americans, of course). :armyroleyes:
the reaper - December 25, 2005 09:43 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (israeli @ Dec 26 2005, 03:04 AM) |
| ^ eventually, if Venezuela does push through with the purchase of those Spanish-made stuff and those Russian-made MRFs, it might just surpass Brazil, Argentina and Chile as the more powerful country in Latin America. |
Probably not Brazil. They still have a pretty darn huge navy to contend with. Their ex-French Navy carrier the Sao Paulo (Clemenceau), their darn submarines, and those Broadswords, Niterois, Garcia Class ships, etc. Their air force isn't that bad either. They have Tiger II's, AMX's, Super Tucanos, and they're in the process of selecting a new fighter. Their F-X BR project is evaluating the F-16, Su-35, Mirage-2000-5, and the Gripen as their new frontline fighter.
israeli - December 26, 2005 03:47 AM (GMT)
^ Brazil recently acquired 12 surplus Mirage 2000Cs from the French Air Force. the FX-BR seemed to be going towards the Mirage 2000 (because Embraer has an alliance with Dassault Aviation).
still, there's no doubt that Brazil possesses the most powerful armed force in Latin America.
still, there's no doubt that Brazil possesses the most powerful armed force in Latin America.
datu - December 28, 2005 01:48 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| ^ Brazil recently acquired 12 surplus Mirage 2000Cs from the French Air Force. the FX-BR seemed to be going towards the Mirage 2000 (because Embraer has an alliance with Dassault Aviation). still, there's no doubt that Brazil possesses the most powerful armed force in Latin America. |
The FX program was cancelled that is why they bought Mirage2000s, as a stop gap. It is reported that Brazil is negotiating a seperate weapons deal for the Mirage2000 fighters including Super530 medium range missiles. If they do get it, it will become the second, or third depending, nation to get BVR capability in Latin America.
the reaper - January 14, 2006 12:57 AM (GMT)
U.S. blocks Spain warplane sale
By CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman
Friday, January 13, 2006 Posted: 2113 GMT (0513 HKT)
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- The U.S. government has blocked a planned sale of 12 military aircraft from Spain to Venezuela on the grounds that the planes contain U.S. military technology, and cannot be transferred without approval from Washington, a U.S. embassy spokesman told CNN.
The move was made amid concerns the United States has about Venezuela's government, considered authoritarian by the Bush administration.
Spain reacted by pledging to substitute the U.S. technology on the planes with other technology so that the deal could go through. Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said at a news conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting that the sale of the 12 military airplanes "should be carried out."
The U.S. officially informed Spain of the decision on Thursday. Spain has argued that the planes were not for offensive military purposes, but were part of a military equipment package that also includes patrol boats. The boats were unaffected by the U.S. block.
Depending on how the planes were configured, they could possibly have contained a significant amount of U.S. military technology.
Relations between the Bush administration and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have soured in recent years, and the discord has grown since Bush began his second term.
U.S. officials have expressed concern over Chavez's policies, his friendship with Cuban President Fidel Castro and his crackdown on the news media, whose owners have largely opposed his rule.
In notifying Spain of the decision on Thursday, the U.S. government repeated a previous Bush administration claim -- that Chavez, while democratically elected, uses his country's democratic institutions to impose authoritarian rule.
From:
http://www.cnn.com
By CNN Madrid Bureau Chief Al Goodman
Friday, January 13, 2006 Posted: 2113 GMT (0513 HKT)
MADRID, Spain (CNN) -- The U.S. government has blocked a planned sale of 12 military aircraft from Spain to Venezuela on the grounds that the planes contain U.S. military technology, and cannot be transferred without approval from Washington, a U.S. embassy spokesman told CNN.
The move was made amid concerns the United States has about Venezuela's government, considered authoritarian by the Bush administration.
Spain reacted by pledging to substitute the U.S. technology on the planes with other technology so that the deal could go through. Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said at a news conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting that the sale of the 12 military airplanes "should be carried out."
The U.S. officially informed Spain of the decision on Thursday. Spain has argued that the planes were not for offensive military purposes, but were part of a military equipment package that also includes patrol boats. The boats were unaffected by the U.S. block.
Depending on how the planes were configured, they could possibly have contained a significant amount of U.S. military technology.
Relations between the Bush administration and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have soured in recent years, and the discord has grown since Bush began his second term.
U.S. officials have expressed concern over Chavez's policies, his friendship with Cuban President Fidel Castro and his crackdown on the news media, whose owners have largely opposed his rule.
In notifying Spain of the decision on Thursday, the U.S. government repeated a previous Bush administration claim -- that Chavez, while democratically elected, uses his country's democratic institutions to impose authoritarian rule.
From:
http://www.cnn.com
the reaper - January 14, 2006 02:02 AM (GMT)
Chavez says U.S. blocked Brazil plane deal
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 Posted: 2040 GMT (0440 HKT)
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday accused Washington of blocking a sale of Brazilian military aircraft to his government as part of a U.S. campaign against his socialist revolution.
An ardent foe of President Bush, Chavez last year sought out military deals with Russia, Brazil and Spain to modernize the armed forces of Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter and a key U.S. energy supplier.
U.S. officials, who brand Chavez a negative influence in South America, worry his government's purchase of attack helicopters, patrol ships and new automatic rifles could test the stability of the region.
"We couldn't sign the document. The contract is ready for Brazil to make Supertucano training aircraft for our air force. ... The United States did not authorize Embraer to make the planes," Chavez told officers at a military academy.
Washington must authorize licenses for companies such as Brazilian manufacturer Embraer to sell military systems containing U.S. components to third countries. Caracas was negotiating to buy turboprop training planes.
Venezuela and the United States are increasingly at odds as Chavez promotes his socialist model as an alternative to Washington's political and trade influence in Latin America.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas was not immediately available for comment.
Chavez, a former soldier, was elected seven years ago promising to use the country's oil to battle poverty. Since surviving a 2002 coup bid, he has often accused the U.S. government of trying to topple or assassinate him.
U.S officials portray Chavez as an authoritarian menace and worry some of Venezuela's new arms could supply subversive groups in the region such as Colombia's Marxist rebels.
Venezuela last year signed a $2 billion deal to buy ships and transport aircraft from Spain and military helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles from Russia.
Chavez accused Washington of trying to block the sale by Spain and has previously accused U.S. officials of sabotaging delivery of spares and maintenance for Venezuela's U.S-made F-16 fighter jets. U.S. officials reject those accusations.
"It's the same with the F-16s; they deny us maintenance to improve them, delay the spare parts. But we are not worried. We've sent a commission to Moscow, and if we have to replace the F-16 fleet with a fleet of new MiGs, then we will," he said.
Venezuela still sells most of its oil to the United States, but Chavez has moved to diversify away from a traditional political reliance on Washington. He has downgraded military and anti-drug cooperation with U.S. authorities.
Reuters
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 Posted: 2040 GMT (0440 HKT)
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday accused Washington of blocking a sale of Brazilian military aircraft to his government as part of a U.S. campaign against his socialist revolution.
An ardent foe of President Bush, Chavez last year sought out military deals with Russia, Brazil and Spain to modernize the armed forces of Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter and a key U.S. energy supplier.
U.S. officials, who brand Chavez a negative influence in South America, worry his government's purchase of attack helicopters, patrol ships and new automatic rifles could test the stability of the region.
"We couldn't sign the document. The contract is ready for Brazil to make Supertucano training aircraft for our air force. ... The United States did not authorize Embraer to make the planes," Chavez told officers at a military academy.
Washington must authorize licenses for companies such as Brazilian manufacturer Embraer to sell military systems containing U.S. components to third countries. Caracas was negotiating to buy turboprop training planes.
Venezuela and the United States are increasingly at odds as Chavez promotes his socialist model as an alternative to Washington's political and trade influence in Latin America.
A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Caracas was not immediately available for comment.
Chavez, a former soldier, was elected seven years ago promising to use the country's oil to battle poverty. Since surviving a 2002 coup bid, he has often accused the U.S. government of trying to topple or assassinate him.
U.S officials portray Chavez as an authoritarian menace and worry some of Venezuela's new arms could supply subversive groups in the region such as Colombia's Marxist rebels.
Venezuela last year signed a $2 billion deal to buy ships and transport aircraft from Spain and military helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles from Russia.
Chavez accused Washington of trying to block the sale by Spain and has previously accused U.S. officials of sabotaging delivery of spares and maintenance for Venezuela's U.S-made F-16 fighter jets. U.S. officials reject those accusations.
"It's the same with the F-16s; they deny us maintenance to improve them, delay the spare parts. But we are not worried. We've sent a commission to Moscow, and if we have to replace the F-16 fleet with a fleet of new MiGs, then we will," he said.
Venezuela still sells most of its oil to the United States, but Chavez has moved to diversify away from a traditional political reliance on Washington. He has downgraded military and anti-drug cooperation with U.S. authorities.
Reuters
israeli - January 15, 2006 02:45 PM (GMT)
Despite U.S. Veto, Madrid Will Sell C-295s to Caracas
By MARTIN AGÜERA, MUNICH
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1466008&C=america
The Spanish government seems determined to deliver 12 EADS-CASA-built transport aircraft to Venezuela despite a U.S. attempt to block the sale.
U.S. newspapers reported Jan. 13 the George W. Bush administration had vetoed the sale of 12 C-295 aircraft from Madrid to Caracas because the aircraft contained sensitive U.S. technology.
According to a government statement, however, the first vice prime minister of the Spanish Socialist government, María Teresa Fernández, told reporters that Spain was holding on to the sale to Venezuela of the planes and some naval vessels, worth more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) together.
Spanish Defense Minister José Bono negotiated the agreement last year with Venezuela’s leftist President Hugo Chavez.
Fernández said the U.S. technology on the aircraft would be replaced with technology from another country to circumvent the veto.
“The Bush administration has decided to disapprove the necessary licenses for the construction of the aircraft, which Spain has sold to Venezuela, and it did it on the basis of motives which Spain doesn’t share,” said Fernández.
She said C-295 transport aircraft and patrol boats are considered nonoffensive defense materiel and therefore unproblematic.
On Jan. 12, the U.S. ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, had explained to Spanish government officials that his country would not approve of the sale.
By MARTIN AGÜERA, MUNICH
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=1466008&C=america
The Spanish government seems determined to deliver 12 EADS-CASA-built transport aircraft to Venezuela despite a U.S. attempt to block the sale.
U.S. newspapers reported Jan. 13 the George W. Bush administration had vetoed the sale of 12 C-295 aircraft from Madrid to Caracas because the aircraft contained sensitive U.S. technology.
According to a government statement, however, the first vice prime minister of the Spanish Socialist government, María Teresa Fernández, told reporters that Spain was holding on to the sale to Venezuela of the planes and some naval vessels, worth more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) together.
Spanish Defense Minister José Bono negotiated the agreement last year with Venezuela’s leftist President Hugo Chavez.
Fernández said the U.S. technology on the aircraft would be replaced with technology from another country to circumvent the veto.
“The Bush administration has decided to disapprove the necessary licenses for the construction of the aircraft, which Spain has sold to Venezuela, and it did it on the basis of motives which Spain doesn’t share,” said Fernández.
She said C-295 transport aircraft and patrol boats are considered nonoffensive defense materiel and therefore unproblematic.
On Jan. 12, the U.S. ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, had explained to Spanish government officials that his country would not approve of the sale.
MSantor - March 2, 2008 10:15 PM (GMT)
Either Chavez just wants more attention these days or he is actually serious about helping his fellow Leftists across the border in Colombia. :armyroleyes:
Hopefully this action on his part is just more chest-thumping and will not actually lead to war.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23435878/
Chavez sends troops to Colombia border
Venezuelan leader warns neighbor’s action against rebels could lead to war
BREAKING NEWS
The Associated Press
updated 10:55 a.m. PT, Sun., March. 2, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez on Sunday ordered thousands of troops to the border with Colombia after Colombia's military killed a top rebel leader.
Chavez told his defense minister: "Move 10 battalions for me to the border with Colombia, immediately." He also ordered the Venezuelan Embassy in Colombia closed and said all embassy personnel would be withdrawn.
The announcements by Venezuela's leftist leader pushed relations to their tensest point of his nine-year presidency, and Chavez warned that Colombia could spark a war in South America.
He called the U.S.-allied government in Bogota "a terrorist state" and labeled President Alvaro Uribe "a criminal."
The leftist leader warned that Colombia’s slaying of rebel spokesman Raul Reyes could spark a war.
“It wasn’t any combat. It was a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated,” Chavez said.
“We pay tribute to a true revolutionary, who was Raul Reyes,” Chavez said, recalling that he had met rebel in Brazil in 1995 and calling him a “good revolutionary.”
Chavez: Colombia 'the Israel' of region
Chavez said he had just spoken to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and that Ecuador was also sending troops to its border with Colombia.
“The Colombian government has become the Israel of Latin America,” an agitated Chavez said, mentioning another country that he has criticized for its military strikes. “We aren’t going to permit Colombia to become the Israel of these lands.”
Chavez accused Uribe of being a puppet of Washington and acting on behalf of the U.S. government, saying “Dracula’s fangs (are) are covered in blood.”
“Some day Colombia will be freed from the hand of the (U.S.) empire,” Chavez said. “We have to liberate Colombia,” he added, saying Colombia’s people will eventually do away with its government.
The U.S. State Department had no immediate reaction to Chavez’s comments.
On Saturday, Chavez cautioned Uribe against similar military strikes along Venezuela’s border.
“Don’t think about doing that over here, because it would very serious, it would be cause for war,” Chavez said. “How far is President Uribe willing to go in his warlike madness?”
Chavez, who maintains warm relations with the Colombian guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said that “it was obscene to see the smiling faces” of Colombian military commanders standing behind Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos as he announced the death of FARC spokesman Raul Reyes and 16 other rebels on Saturday.
Colombia defends incursion
On Sunday, Colombia defended its decision to carry out the raid, saying it acted in self-defense.
“The terrorists, among them Raul Reyes, have had the custom of killing in Colombia and taking refuge in the territory of neighboring countries. Many times Colombia has suffered from this situation that we must avoid to protect our citizens,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Ecuador has done little to try to remove the heavily armed fighters from Colombia’s conflict who cross the long, porous border into its territory.
Colombia’s military tracked Reyes’ location through an informant and bombed a camp on its side of the Ecuadorean border, where Reyes was thought to be, Santos said. Ground troops moved in but came under attack from another camp across the border in Ecuador. When the military overran that camp, they found Reyes’ body, Santos said.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said Uribe had informed him of the raid but later announced that he was misled after Ecuadorean officials inspected a bombed rebel camp.
Ecuador: 'Airspace was violated'
“The (Colombian) president either was poorly informed or brazenly lied to the president of Ecuador,” said Correa, who called home the ambassador to Colombia for consultation and promised a diplomatic note of protest.
“Clearly Ecuadorean airspace was violated” in the bombing, Correa said.
Uribe earlier called Reyes’ death a step forward in defeating terrorism.
“Today we’ve taken another step in the process of recuperating the respect of the people of Colombia, the respect that our people deserve,” Uribe told a news conference.
Combatants in Colombia’s bitter four-decade conflict frequently cross borders with Ecuador and Venezuela, creating friction between the neighbors.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since November, when Uribe ended Chavez’s official role negotiating a proposed hostages-for-prisoners swap.
Nevertheless, the FARC freed four hostages to Venezuelan officials last week, and they were reunited with their families in Caracas. It was the second unilateral release by the FARC this year.
Chavez has recently angered Uribe by urging world leaders to classify the leftist rebels as “insurgents” rather than “terrorists.”
The FARC has proposed trading some 40 remaining high-value captives, including former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.[QUOTE]
Hopefully this action on his part is just more chest-thumping and will not actually lead to war.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23435878/
Chavez sends troops to Colombia border
Venezuelan leader warns neighbor’s action against rebels could lead to war
BREAKING NEWS
The Associated Press
updated 10:55 a.m. PT, Sun., March. 2, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez on Sunday ordered thousands of troops to the border with Colombia after Colombia's military killed a top rebel leader.
Chavez told his defense minister: "Move 10 battalions for me to the border with Colombia, immediately." He also ordered the Venezuelan Embassy in Colombia closed and said all embassy personnel would be withdrawn.
The announcements by Venezuela's leftist leader pushed relations to their tensest point of his nine-year presidency, and Chavez warned that Colombia could spark a war in South America.
He called the U.S.-allied government in Bogota "a terrorist state" and labeled President Alvaro Uribe "a criminal."
The leftist leader warned that Colombia’s slaying of rebel spokesman Raul Reyes could spark a war.
“It wasn’t any combat. It was a cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated,” Chavez said.
“We pay tribute to a true revolutionary, who was Raul Reyes,” Chavez said, recalling that he had met rebel in Brazil in 1995 and calling him a “good revolutionary.”
Chavez: Colombia 'the Israel' of region
Chavez said he had just spoken to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa and that Ecuador was also sending troops to its border with Colombia.
“The Colombian government has become the Israel of Latin America,” an agitated Chavez said, mentioning another country that he has criticized for its military strikes. “We aren’t going to permit Colombia to become the Israel of these lands.”
Chavez accused Uribe of being a puppet of Washington and acting on behalf of the U.S. government, saying “Dracula’s fangs (are) are covered in blood.”
“Some day Colombia will be freed from the hand of the (U.S.) empire,” Chavez said. “We have to liberate Colombia,” he added, saying Colombia’s people will eventually do away with its government.
The U.S. State Department had no immediate reaction to Chavez’s comments.
On Saturday, Chavez cautioned Uribe against similar military strikes along Venezuela’s border.
“Don’t think about doing that over here, because it would very serious, it would be cause for war,” Chavez said. “How far is President Uribe willing to go in his warlike madness?”
Chavez, who maintains warm relations with the Colombian guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, said that “it was obscene to see the smiling faces” of Colombian military commanders standing behind Colombian Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos as he announced the death of FARC spokesman Raul Reyes and 16 other rebels on Saturday.
Colombia defends incursion
On Sunday, Colombia defended its decision to carry out the raid, saying it acted in self-defense.
“The terrorists, among them Raul Reyes, have had the custom of killing in Colombia and taking refuge in the territory of neighboring countries. Many times Colombia has suffered from this situation that we must avoid to protect our citizens,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
Ecuador has done little to try to remove the heavily armed fighters from Colombia’s conflict who cross the long, porous border into its territory.
Colombia’s military tracked Reyes’ location through an informant and bombed a camp on its side of the Ecuadorean border, where Reyes was thought to be, Santos said. Ground troops moved in but came under attack from another camp across the border in Ecuador. When the military overran that camp, they found Reyes’ body, Santos said.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa said Uribe had informed him of the raid but later announced that he was misled after Ecuadorean officials inspected a bombed rebel camp.
Ecuador: 'Airspace was violated'
“The (Colombian) president either was poorly informed or brazenly lied to the president of Ecuador,” said Correa, who called home the ambassador to Colombia for consultation and promised a diplomatic note of protest.
“Clearly Ecuadorean airspace was violated” in the bombing, Correa said.
Uribe earlier called Reyes’ death a step forward in defeating terrorism.
“Today we’ve taken another step in the process of recuperating the respect of the people of Colombia, the respect that our people deserve,” Uribe told a news conference.
Combatants in Colombia’s bitter four-decade conflict frequently cross borders with Ecuador and Venezuela, creating friction between the neighbors.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since November, when Uribe ended Chavez’s official role negotiating a proposed hostages-for-prisoners swap.
Nevertheless, the FARC freed four hostages to Venezuelan officials last week, and they were reunited with their families in Caracas. It was the second unilateral release by the FARC this year.
Chavez has recently angered Uribe by urging world leaders to classify the leftist rebels as “insurgents” rather than “terrorists.”
The FARC has proposed trading some 40 remaining high-value captives, including former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.[QUOTE]
saver111 - March 3, 2008 05:00 AM (GMT)
And there goes Ecuador...
Venezuela, Ecuador send troops to Colombia border
CARACAS/QUITO (Reuters) - Venezuela and Ecuador sent troops to their borders with Colombia on Sunday after their Andean neighbour bombed Colombian rebels inside Ecuador in an attack Caracas said could spark a war.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also deployed tanks to the frontier, mobilized warplanes and withdrew his diplomats from Bogota in the worst dispute in the unstable region for years.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, a close ally of the leftist, anti-U.S. Chavez, expelled Colombia's ambassador and recalled his own envoy from Bogota in protest over what he said was an intentional violation of his nation's sovereignty.
Colombia responded to Correa by offering its apologies for the troops crossing the frontier, but said the operation on a jungle rebel camp was necessary because its forces came under fire from inside Ecuador.
But Colombia, a U.S. ally, also said it found documents at the camp that linked Correa to the guerrillas.
"May God spare us a war. But we are not going to allow them to violate our sovereign territory," Chavez, an ex-paratrooper said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Colombia's troops killed on Saturday Raul Reyes, a leader of Marxist FARC rebels, during an attack on a jungle camp in Ecuador in a severe blow to Latin America's oldest guerrilla insurgency. The operation included air strikes and fighting across the border.
Chavez, who had warned a similar operation in Venezuela would be "cause for war," threatened to send Russian-made fighter jets into U.S. ally Colombia if its troops also struck inside his OPEC country.
He and Correa both accused Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of lying over the attack.
Colombia said it had no intention of violating Ecuador's sovereignty, saying it acted in "legitimate defense."
TROOPS ON ALERT
But Correa said Colombian warplanes entered Ecuador's air space to bomb guerrillas while they were sleeping and then flew troops into the camp in helicopters.
"This was a massacre," said Correa. "We even found bodies shot in the back ... We will not allow this to go unpunished."
Venezuela's armed forces went on alert and will support Ecuador, its poorer, smaller ally, "to the last," Chavez said.
Washington, which backs Uribe's fight against the rebels with its largest military aid outside the Middle East, said it was monitoring developments after Chavez's "odd reaction."
France called for restraint on all sides, saying the situation underlined the need for the negotiated release of FARC hostages, including the most high-profile captive, French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.
The FARC said in a statement the killing of a leader who had been involved in hostage talks should not affect moves to free captives, according to the Venezuelan government.
Uribe, who is popular at home for his tough stance against the rebels, has often jousted with neighbors over spillover from the four-decade conflict. But he has managed differences with pragmatism and disputes have rarely moved past rhetoric.
Political analysts said a conflict was unlikely because Chavez -- the leader of Andean leftists -- was more interested in firing up his support base with rhetoric against Colombia. He can ill afford to lose the neighbor's food imports amid chronic shortages, they added.
"We believe a military conflict between the two nations is unlikely at this stage but the growing political tension sets the stage for a potential overreaction to future events increasing the risk of costly miscalculations and missteps," Goldman Sachs economist Alberto Ramos said.
Chavez has been in a diplomatic dispute with Uribe for months over his mediation to free the rebels' hostages. Uribe says Chavez used the talks to meddle in Colombian affairs.
The Venezuelan called the rebel leader's death the "cowardly assassination" of a "good revolutionary."
(Additional reporting by Caracas, Quito, Bogota bureaux, Jean-Baptiste Vey in Paris and David Alexander in Crawford)
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080303/3/3g0u4.html
Venezuela, Ecuador send troops to Colombia border
CARACAS/QUITO (Reuters) - Venezuela and Ecuador sent troops to their borders with Colombia on Sunday after their Andean neighbour bombed Colombian rebels inside Ecuador in an attack Caracas said could spark a war.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also deployed tanks to the frontier, mobilized warplanes and withdrew his diplomats from Bogota in the worst dispute in the unstable region for years.
Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa, a close ally of the leftist, anti-U.S. Chavez, expelled Colombia's ambassador and recalled his own envoy from Bogota in protest over what he said was an intentional violation of his nation's sovereignty.
Colombia responded to Correa by offering its apologies for the troops crossing the frontier, but said the operation on a jungle rebel camp was necessary because its forces came under fire from inside Ecuador.
But Colombia, a U.S. ally, also said it found documents at the camp that linked Correa to the guerrillas.
"May God spare us a war. But we are not going to allow them to violate our sovereign territory," Chavez, an ex-paratrooper said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Colombia's troops killed on Saturday Raul Reyes, a leader of Marxist FARC rebels, during an attack on a jungle camp in Ecuador in a severe blow to Latin America's oldest guerrilla insurgency. The operation included air strikes and fighting across the border.
Chavez, who had warned a similar operation in Venezuela would be "cause for war," threatened to send Russian-made fighter jets into U.S. ally Colombia if its troops also struck inside his OPEC country.
He and Correa both accused Colombian President Alvaro Uribe of lying over the attack.
Colombia said it had no intention of violating Ecuador's sovereignty, saying it acted in "legitimate defense."
TROOPS ON ALERT
But Correa said Colombian warplanes entered Ecuador's air space to bomb guerrillas while they were sleeping and then flew troops into the camp in helicopters.
"This was a massacre," said Correa. "We even found bodies shot in the back ... We will not allow this to go unpunished."
Venezuela's armed forces went on alert and will support Ecuador, its poorer, smaller ally, "to the last," Chavez said.
Washington, which backs Uribe's fight against the rebels with its largest military aid outside the Middle East, said it was monitoring developments after Chavez's "odd reaction."
France called for restraint on all sides, saying the situation underlined the need for the negotiated release of FARC hostages, including the most high-profile captive, French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt.
The FARC said in a statement the killing of a leader who had been involved in hostage talks should not affect moves to free captives, according to the Venezuelan government.
Uribe, who is popular at home for his tough stance against the rebels, has often jousted with neighbors over spillover from the four-decade conflict. But he has managed differences with pragmatism and disputes have rarely moved past rhetoric.
Political analysts said a conflict was unlikely because Chavez -- the leader of Andean leftists -- was more interested in firing up his support base with rhetoric against Colombia. He can ill afford to lose the neighbor's food imports amid chronic shortages, they added.
"We believe a military conflict between the two nations is unlikely at this stage but the growing political tension sets the stage for a potential overreaction to future events increasing the risk of costly miscalculations and missteps," Goldman Sachs economist Alberto Ramos said.
Chavez has been in a diplomatic dispute with Uribe for months over his mediation to free the rebels' hostages. Uribe says Chavez used the talks to meddle in Colombian affairs.
The Venezuelan called the rebel leader's death the "cowardly assassination" of a "good revolutionary."
(Additional reporting by Caracas, Quito, Bogota bureaux, Jean-Baptiste Vey in Paris and David Alexander in Crawford)
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/080303/3/3g0u4.html
Tormentor - March 3, 2008 06:10 AM (GMT)
The world is getting exciting by the day.
but i think Venezuela wouldnt dare start a fullscale war with Colombia, despite Hugo's loudmouth, he knows that the US will support Colombia and his armed forces aint that strong yet to take on the American war machine.
As for Ecuador, its just bravado, it also knows it will never win a war against Colombia.
but i think Venezuela wouldnt dare start a fullscale war with Colombia, despite Hugo's loudmouth, he knows that the US will support Colombia and his armed forces aint that strong yet to take on the American war machine.
As for Ecuador, its just bravado, it also knows it will never win a war against Colombia.
MSantor - March 3, 2008 06:35 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (Tormentor @ Mar 3 2008, 02:10 PM) |
| The world is getting exciting by the day. but i think Venezuela wouldnt dare start a fullscale war with Colombia, despite Hugo's loudmouth, he knows that the US will support Colombia and his armed forces aint that strong yet to take on the American war machine. As for Ecuador, its just bravado, it also knows it will never win a war against Colombia. |
I wouldn't be so sure about that. The US military is already overstretched- especially the US Army and Marine Corps- with all its worldwide commitments, including Iraq and Afghanistan, which will prevent the US from providing immediate ground reinforcements to Colombia if it was invaded by Venezuela and Ecuador. However, if America does decide to support Colombia, they may probably do so with air strikes from USAF and USN/USMC bases in the CONUS, Guantanamo Bay and Puerto Rico, and possibly any USN CVBG that may be in nearby waters.
Some political/regional experts doubt such a conflict will occur because Chavez still needs some valuable imports like certain foodstuffs from Colombia, as one of the articles stated, IIRC. We can only wait and see what happens next and hope this doesn't spread into a bigger regional conflict.
israeli - March 3, 2008 12:21 PM (GMT)
Chavez warns of war with Colombia
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
1 hour, 8 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela and Ecuador have ordered troops to their borders with Colombia, raising concerns of a broader conflict after Colombia killed a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday promised Venezuela would respond militarily if Colombia violates its border, where he ordered tanks as well as thousands of troops. He also ordered closed Venezuela's embassy in Bogota.
Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, called for the troop deployment while also withdrawing his government's ambassador from Bogota and expelling Colombia's top diplomat.
"There is no justification," Correa said Sunday night, snubbing an earlier announcement from Colombia that it would apologize for the incursion by its military.
Chavez called the killing of rebel leader and spokesman Raul Reyes and 16 other rebels on Saturday an attack by a "terrorist state."
"Mr. Defense Minister, move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately — tank battalions. Deploy the air force," Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program. "We don't want war, but we aren't going to permit the U.S. empire, which is the master (of Colombia) ... to come divide us."
Correa said Colombia deliberately carried out the strike beyond its borders. He said the rebels were "bombed and massacred as they slept, using precision technology."
The Ecuadorean leader said Colombia violated Ecuador's airspace when it bombed the rebel camp, which the Colombian military said was located 1.1 miles from the border.
Colombian officials have long complained that Ecuador's military does not control its sparsely populated border, allowing rebels to take refuge.
The same holds true for Venezuela, where rebel deserters say the guerrillas routinely rest, train, obtain medical care and smuggle drugs. Chavez denies that his country provides refuge to the FARC.
In a statement, Colombia said FARC "terrorists" including Reyes "have had the custom of killing in Colombia and taking refuge in the territory of neighboring countries."
Colombia's police commander Gen. Oscar Naranjo said documents from a computer seized where Reyes was killed suggested Ecuador's president is deepening relations with the FARC.
The two documents, copies of which were obtained independently by The Associated Press, were apparently written by Reyes in the past two months and addressed to the high command of the FARC. An Ecuadorean government spokesman called the Colombian claims a lie.
Ecuadorean soldiers recovered the semi-nude bodies of 15 rebels in their jungle camp, the corpses scattered around the site along with pieces of clothing, shoes, a refrigerator, guns and grenades.
Soldiers stood guard at the camp, saying they also found three wounded women, who were evacuated by helicopter to be treated. One was a Mexican philosophy student injured by shrapnel, while the other two were Colombians, said Ecuador's defense minister, Welington Sandoval.
Ecuadorean officials found that there were two bomb attacks on the camp early Saturday, Lt. Col. Jose Nunez told reporters in the remote village of Angostura, where the bodies were found.
Colombian commandos removed the cadavers of Reyes and one other rebel.
Chavez called the raid "cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated."
"This could be the start of a war in South America," Chavez said. He warned Uribe: "If it occurs to you to do this in Venezuela, President Uribe, I'll send some Sukhois" — Russian warplanes recently bought by Venezuela.
The situation tested already tense relations between Venezuela and Colombia, though cross-border trade has not yet been seriously affected.
Chavez did not specify how many troops was sending to the border. A Venezuelan battalion traditionally has roughly 600 soldiers.
"Undoubtedly the recent actions on the part of Colombia and Venezuela's response raise the risk for armed conflict," said Miguel Tinker Salas, a Latin American studies professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. "Although it is unlikely we will see military confrontations, what is clear is that Colombia has been pursuing a military solution to its own internal problem, ... drawing in Ecuador and Venezuela."
Chavez has increasingly revealed his sympathies for the FARC, and in January asked that it be struck from lists of terrorist groups internationally.
The leftist FARC has been fighting Colombia's government for more than four decades, and funds itself largely through the cocaine trade and kidnaps for ransom and political ends.
Chavez said that with U.S. support, Colombian troops "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violating Ecuador's sovereignty."
U.S Embassy spokeswoman Suzanne Hall, in Bogota, declined comment on the possibility of U.S. involvement, saying it was a Colombian government operation.
In Texas, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said of Chavez's latest moves: "This is an odd reaction by Venezuela to Colombia's efforts against the FARC, a terrorist organization that continues to hold Colombians, Americans and others hostage."
How exactly Reyes was killed was not immediately clear.
Colombia's defense minister, Juan Manuel Santos, said Colombian commandos, tracking Reyes through an informant, first bombed a camp on the Colombian side of the Ecuadorean border. He said the troops came under fire from across the border in Ecuador and encountered Reyes' body when they overran that camp.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since Uribe sought in November to halt Chavez's efforts to mediate a prisoner swap. The FARC has since freed six hostages to delegates of Chavez, including four released last week.
The FARC has demanded that a safe zone be created in Colombia to negotiate a swap of some 40 high-value captives, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
By IAN JAMES, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
1 hour, 8 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela and Ecuador have ordered troops to their borders with Colombia, raising concerns of a broader conflict after Colombia killed a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Sunday promised Venezuela would respond militarily if Colombia violates its border, where he ordered tanks as well as thousands of troops. He also ordered closed Venezuela's embassy in Bogota.
Ecuador's president, Rafael Correa, called for the troop deployment while also withdrawing his government's ambassador from Bogota and expelling Colombia's top diplomat.
"There is no justification," Correa said Sunday night, snubbing an earlier announcement from Colombia that it would apologize for the incursion by its military.
Chavez called the killing of rebel leader and spokesman Raul Reyes and 16 other rebels on Saturday an attack by a "terrorist state."
"Mr. Defense Minister, move 10 battalions to the border with Colombia for me, immediately — tank battalions. Deploy the air force," Chavez said during his weekly TV and radio program. "We don't want war, but we aren't going to permit the U.S. empire, which is the master (of Colombia) ... to come divide us."
Correa said Colombia deliberately carried out the strike beyond its borders. He said the rebels were "bombed and massacred as they slept, using precision technology."
The Ecuadorean leader said Colombia violated Ecuador's airspace when it bombed the rebel camp, which the Colombian military said was located 1.1 miles from the border.
Colombian officials have long complained that Ecuador's military does not control its sparsely populated border, allowing rebels to take refuge.
The same holds true for Venezuela, where rebel deserters say the guerrillas routinely rest, train, obtain medical care and smuggle drugs. Chavez denies that his country provides refuge to the FARC.
In a statement, Colombia said FARC "terrorists" including Reyes "have had the custom of killing in Colombia and taking refuge in the territory of neighboring countries."
Colombia's police commander Gen. Oscar Naranjo said documents from a computer seized where Reyes was killed suggested Ecuador's president is deepening relations with the FARC.
The two documents, copies of which were obtained independently by The Associated Press, were apparently written by Reyes in the past two months and addressed to the high command of the FARC. An Ecuadorean government spokesman called the Colombian claims a lie.
Ecuadorean soldiers recovered the semi-nude bodies of 15 rebels in their jungle camp, the corpses scattered around the site along with pieces of clothing, shoes, a refrigerator, guns and grenades.
Soldiers stood guard at the camp, saying they also found three wounded women, who were evacuated by helicopter to be treated. One was a Mexican philosophy student injured by shrapnel, while the other two were Colombians, said Ecuador's defense minister, Welington Sandoval.
Ecuadorean officials found that there were two bomb attacks on the camp early Saturday, Lt. Col. Jose Nunez told reporters in the remote village of Angostura, where the bodies were found.
Colombian commandos removed the cadavers of Reyes and one other rebel.
Chavez called the raid "cowardly murder, all of it coldly calculated."
"This could be the start of a war in South America," Chavez said. He warned Uribe: "If it occurs to you to do this in Venezuela, President Uribe, I'll send some Sukhois" — Russian warplanes recently bought by Venezuela.
The situation tested already tense relations between Venezuela and Colombia, though cross-border trade has not yet been seriously affected.
Chavez did not specify how many troops was sending to the border. A Venezuelan battalion traditionally has roughly 600 soldiers.
"Undoubtedly the recent actions on the part of Colombia and Venezuela's response raise the risk for armed conflict," said Miguel Tinker Salas, a Latin American studies professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. "Although it is unlikely we will see military confrontations, what is clear is that Colombia has been pursuing a military solution to its own internal problem, ... drawing in Ecuador and Venezuela."
Chavez has increasingly revealed his sympathies for the FARC, and in January asked that it be struck from lists of terrorist groups internationally.
The leftist FARC has been fighting Colombia's government for more than four decades, and funds itself largely through the cocaine trade and kidnaps for ransom and political ends.
Chavez said that with U.S. support, Colombian troops "invaded Ecuador, flagrantly violating Ecuador's sovereignty."
U.S Embassy spokeswoman Suzanne Hall, in Bogota, declined comment on the possibility of U.S. involvement, saying it was a Colombian government operation.
In Texas, U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said of Chavez's latest moves: "This is an odd reaction by Venezuela to Colombia's efforts against the FARC, a terrorist organization that continues to hold Colombians, Americans and others hostage."
How exactly Reyes was killed was not immediately clear.
Colombia's defense minister, Juan Manuel Santos, said Colombian commandos, tracking Reyes through an informant, first bombed a camp on the Colombian side of the Ecuadorean border. He said the troops came under fire from across the border in Ecuador and encountered Reyes' body when they overran that camp.
Colombia and Venezuela have been locked in a diplomatic crisis since Uribe sought in November to halt Chavez's efforts to mediate a prisoner swap. The FARC has since freed six hostages to delegates of Chavez, including four released last week.
The FARC has demanded that a safe zone be created in Colombia to negotiate a swap of some 40 high-value captives, including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. defense contractors, for hundreds of imprisoned guerrillas.
Rapidfire - March 4, 2008 12:53 AM (GMT)
RP is richer than Ecuador but judging from these pics, their troops are better-equipped than ours:
Their AF also has the Kfir
Their AF also has the Kfir
israeli - March 4, 2008 05:34 PM (GMT)
Venezuela troops head to Colombia border
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
36 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Hundreds of Venezuelan troops deployed for the Colombian border on Tuesday under orders from President Hugo Chavez, who is sending about 9,000 soldiers to the frontier.
Hundreds of troops were seen boarding four buses and eight trucks at the Paramaracay base in the central city of Valencia on Tuesday morning, headed for the border. Their convoy also included fuel trucks and cranes. A helicopter flew overhead.
A base official, speaking on condition of anonymity because she wasn't permitted to speak to reporters, said the troops were heading for the Colombian border, though she didn't specify the location.
Elsewhere, in the northern state of Lara, pro-Chavez Gov. Luis Reyes said Tuesday that battalions in his state were heading for the border.
"There are mobilizations in Lara state toward the border zone," Reyes, a former lieutenant colonel, told the Venezuelan television station Globovision.
The Venezuelan military has been tightlipped about the movement of troops since Sunday, when Chavez ordered 10 battalions to the border, including tanks.
Retired Gen. Alberto Muller Rojas, a former aide and close ally of Chavez, told The Associated Press that the 10 battalions being sent to the border region include approximately 9,000 men. He called the troop deployment entirely "preventive."
Chavez deployed troops in response to Colombia's killing of a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil over the weekend. Ecuador has also sent troops to its border with Colombia, denouncing the military strike as a violation of its sovereignty.
Venezuela's military currently has about 100,000 regular troops and a growing force of reservists that now totals 280,000, said Muller, who in retirement is vice president of Chavez's socialist party.
Colombia's U.S.-backed military has 255,000 regular troops and 62,000 reservists, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
By FABIOLA SANCHEZ, Associated Press Writer
Yahoo! News
36 minutes ago
CARACAS, Venezuela - Hundreds of Venezuelan troops deployed for the Colombian border on Tuesday under orders from President Hugo Chavez, who is sending about 9,000 soldiers to the frontier.
Hundreds of troops were seen boarding four buses and eight trucks at the Paramaracay base in the central city of Valencia on Tuesday morning, headed for the border. Their convoy also included fuel trucks and cranes. A helicopter flew overhead.
A base official, speaking on condition of anonymity because she wasn't permitted to speak to reporters, said the troops were heading for the Colombian border, though she didn't specify the location.
Elsewhere, in the northern state of Lara, pro-Chavez Gov. Luis Reyes said Tuesday that battalions in his state were heading for the border.
"There are mobilizations in Lara state toward the border zone," Reyes, a former lieutenant colonel, told the Venezuelan television station Globovision.
The Venezuelan military has been tightlipped about the movement of troops since Sunday, when Chavez ordered 10 battalions to the border, including tanks.
Retired Gen. Alberto Muller Rojas, a former aide and close ally of Chavez, told The Associated Press that the 10 battalions being sent to the border region include approximately 9,000 men. He called the troop deployment entirely "preventive."
Chavez deployed troops in response to Colombia's killing of a top rebel leader on Ecuadorean soil over the weekend. Ecuador has also sent troops to its border with Colombia, denouncing the military strike as a violation of its sovereignty.
Venezuela's military currently has about 100,000 regular troops and a growing force of reservists that now totals 280,000, said Muller, who in retirement is vice president of Chavez's socialist party.
Colombia's U.S.-backed military has 255,000 regular troops and 62,000 reservists, according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
israeli - March 4, 2008 06:33 PM (GMT)
photos of Venezuelan Air Force Su-30MKV Flankers:
MSantor - March 6, 2008 09:31 PM (GMT)
WHOA! Nicaragua just broke off diplomatic relations with Colombia; perhaps we underestimated the pull/influence that Chavez has on his fellow OAS members who are also left-leaning, besides Ecuador.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/03/...ref=mpstoryview
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/03/...ref=mpstoryview
| QUOTE |
Nicaragua breaks diplomatic relations with Colombia (CNN) -- Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega said Thursday that the nation is breaking relations with Colombia "in solidarity with the Ecuadoran people." The move comes after the Organization of American States passed a resolution Wednesday in hopes of easing tensions stemming from an attack by Colombian military on a rebel camp in neighboring Ecuador on Saturday. Since that attack, Ecuador has broken off relations with Colombia, and Venezuela says it has moved troops to its border with Colombia. Ortega made his televised remarks in Managua, where he was flanked by Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa........................ |
zundino - March 7, 2008 12:17 AM (GMT)
time for the US to send a carrier group near colombia, will surely make the pilots of those flankers urinate in their pants... :banana:
MSantor - March 7, 2008 11:51 PM (GMT)
Three more updates on the escalating Andean crisis:
1.) The main participants involved at least met in a summit to try to diffuse this crisis.
1.) The main participants involved at least met in a summit to try to diffuse this crisis.
| QUOTE |
| The presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia have shaken hands at a regional summit, marking the end of a diplomatic crisis in the Andean region. |
| QUOTE |
| Incidente fronterizo entre la DISIP, GN y habitantes de Paraguachón03:06 pm | 07 Mar 2008 | 348 comentarios | 82,113 views En un confuso incidente, una unidad de la DISIP ha atravesado la zona fronteriza y ha incursionado en el territorio colombiano en Paraguachón. Los habitantes han rodeado la patrulla y no han permitido que los oficiales venezolanos la recuperaran. Al parecer, la unidad de la DISIP se encontraba persiguiendo a un vehículo. El grupo de ciudadanos de Paraguachón ha proferido insultos contra los DISIP de Venezuela y, ante su actitud agresiva, unidades de la Guardia Nacional han cruzado la frontera para ayudarlos y protegerlos. Tras unos minutos de tensión, la situación volvió a la calma pero el vehículo de la DISIP se encuentra aún en territorio colombiano rodeado por los habitantes de la localidad. Unidades policiales colombianas se han acercado al lugar. |
rough translation summary: In a confused incident, a unit of the DISIP (Venezuelan Security forces) has crossed the frontier and has penetrated into Colombian territory in Paraguachón. The inhabitants have surrounded the patrol and they have not allowed that the Venezuelan officials to recover the patrol.
3.) Uribe shames President Correa.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080307/ap_on_...ia_venezuela_55
| QUOTE |
| SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said Friday that Colombian rebels helped Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa get elected, citing as evidence a rebel's letter seized during a cross-border raid that has sparked an international crisis. Correa walked out of the 20-nation Rio Group summit after the accusation, but an aide said he had merely gone to the bathroom. As other leaders complained, Uribe waited for Correa to return before continuing. Uribe said his forces seized a letter during their raid Saturday on a rebel camp just across the border with Ecuador in which Raul Reyes — the rebel leader killed in the raid — told the guerrillas' top commander about "aid delivered to Rafael Correa, as instructed." Correa, who has broken off relations with Colombia and sent troops to the border over the raid, denounced the accusation and proposed an international peacekeeping force to guard the Colombian-Ecuadorean border. "I reject this infamy that the government of Rafael Correa has collaborated with the FARC," Correa bellowed into the microphone as he accused Uribe of lying. His comments drew loud applause from other leaders, who met Uribe's speech with silence. The summit was to have focused on energy and other issues, but those were overshadowed by the diplomatic crisis in the Andes after the deadly Colombian cross-border raid into Ecuador on Saturday that killed a senior Colombian rebel and 24 others. It began quietly, with the host, Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, appealing for unity. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said it was time to cool tensions and predicted the summit "is going to be positive." "People should go cool off a bit, chill out their nerves," Chavez said before the summit started. "I think the meeting today is going to be positive, because it is going to help the debate. We have to debate, talk, and this is the first step toward finding the road." But the accusations began quickly, with Correa criticizing "the aggression of Colombia" and Uribe saying that Correa is a dishonest partner in the fight against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. "We didn't inform him (of the raid) because we have not had cooperation from the government of President Correa in the fight against terrorism," Uribe said. Latin American foreign ministers on Thursday drafted a statement saying national sovereignty must be respected. The draft, to be submitted to the presidents on Friday, mirrors one earlier in the week from the Organization of American States, said Chilean Foreign Minister Alejandro Foxley. Chavez has ordered thousands of troops and tanks to Venezuela's border with Colombia and threatened to slash trade and nationalize Colombian-owned businesses. Correa has also sent troops to the border, although Uribe has said he won't do the same. The summit marks the first face-to-face encounters between Chavez, Correa and Uribe since the international crisis began. Correa told reporters he wants Uribe to apologize for the attack in Ecuadorean territory and give his "formal and firm commitment" that Colombia will never "violate" the sovereignty of another country. On his arrival in Santo Domingo late Thursday, Chavez claimed the strike was "planned and directed by the United States." Later, he said he had information that "gringo soldiers" participated in the attack, but provided no evidence. U.S. Southern Command spokesman Jose Ruiz neither confirmed or denied this week that the U.S. military took part in the attack. The latest body was discovered Thursday, according to Ecuador's security minister, Gustavo Larrea. Uribe is hugely popular among Colombians cracking down on the FARC, which finances itself through kidnapping and drug trafficking. Nicaragua, a leftist ally of Venezuela and Ecuador, broke relations with Colombia on Thursday. The attack also cut off all contacts between the rebels and France, where the freedom of French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt has become a national cause, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Friday. Uribe has refused to rule out future military incursions into Ecuador or Venezuela, saying he first needs assurances from Correa and Chavez that they are not harboring rebels. One of the rare regional voices offering support for Colombia was Salvadoran President Tony Saca, who said the Colombian government should be able to defend its citizens. "We need to understand Colombia has the legitimate right to go after terrorists ... wherever they may be, of course without harming the sovereignty of another country," Saca said |
MSantor - March 8, 2008 12:15 AM (GMT)
BUMP!
MSantor - March 8, 2008 12:37 AM (GMT)
BUMP!
MSantor - March 8, 2008 12:55 AM (GMT)
BUMP!
zundino - March 8, 2008 07:59 AM (GMT)
its over, leaders have already kissed and embraced.
these guys dont have the balls to go to war.
these guys dont have the balls to go to war.
saver111 - July 22, 2008 12:08 PM (GMT)
Venezuela's Chavez eyes arms deals with Russia
07/22/2008 | 04:31 PM
MOSCOW - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Moscow on Tuesday and was quoted as calling for a strategic alliance with Russia to protect his South American country from the United States.
"That way we can guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is now threatened by the United States," Chavez was quoted by several Russian news agencies as saying.
Russian media also have widely reported that Chavez is expected to reach a number of agreements for purchasing Russian military hardware while in Moscow, with one paper reporting the deals could be worth up to $2 billion (€1.25 billion).
The maverick South American leader was scheduled to meet for the first time with Dmitry Medvedev since he became Russia's president in May.
Chavez also will meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Russian military and business leaders, Chavez spokesman Tomas Ramirez said Monday.
Russia's daily Kommersant reported Tuesday that Chavez is looking to order up to $2 billion (€1.25 billion) worth of Ilyushin jets, diesel-powered submarines, TOR-M1 air defense systems and possibly tanks. Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms trader, declined to comment on potential deals.
"We want peace, but we are forced to strengthen our defense," Chavez said when asked about the potential deals upon his arrival in Moscow, according to Russian news agencies.
Venezuela, which spent $4 billion (€2.52 billion) on international arms purchases between 2005 and 2007, mostly from Russia and China, has a defense budget of $2.6 billion (€1.64 billion), according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The US stopped supplying arms to Venezuela in 2006.
Chavez also wants to discuss the possibility of creating a joint bank and investment vehicle with Russia, the ITAR-Tass agency reported.
In addition, the two sides are expected to discuss energy deals, Venezuela's state agency reported, including expanding activities of Russia's Lukoil with Venezuela's state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA.
Lukoil already is helping Venezuela quantify heavy crude oil deposits in its Orinoco River basin — one of the world's largest petroleum deposits. Russia's Gazprom has two natural gas exploration and production licenses in Venezuela.
Commercial trade between Venezuela and Russia reached $1.1 billion last year, up more than 200 percent from the $517 million in trade during 2006, according to statistics cited by Venezuela's state-run news agency. - AP
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/108500/Venezue...als-with-Russia
07/22/2008 | 04:31 PM
MOSCOW - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez arrived in Moscow on Tuesday and was quoted as calling for a strategic alliance with Russia to protect his South American country from the United States.
"That way we can guarantee Venezuela's sovereignty, which is now threatened by the United States," Chavez was quoted by several Russian news agencies as saying.
Russian media also have widely reported that Chavez is expected to reach a number of agreements for purchasing Russian military hardware while in Moscow, with one paper reporting the deals could be worth up to $2 billion (€1.25 billion).
The maverick South American leader was scheduled to meet for the first time with Dmitry Medvedev since he became Russia's president in May.
Chavez also will meet with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Russian military and business leaders, Chavez spokesman Tomas Ramirez said Monday.
Russia's daily Kommersant reported Tuesday that Chavez is looking to order up to $2 billion (€1.25 billion) worth of Ilyushin jets, diesel-powered submarines, TOR-M1 air defense systems and possibly tanks. Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-owned arms trader, declined to comment on potential deals.
"We want peace, but we are forced to strengthen our defense," Chavez said when asked about the potential deals upon his arrival in Moscow, according to Russian news agencies.
Venezuela, which spent $4 billion (€2.52 billion) on international arms purchases between 2005 and 2007, mostly from Russia and China, has a defense budget of $2.6 billion (€1.64 billion), according to the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The US stopped supplying arms to Venezuela in 2006.
Chavez also wants to discuss the possibility of creating a joint bank and investment vehicle with Russia, the ITAR-Tass agency reported.
In addition, the two sides are expected to discuss energy deals, Venezuela's state agency reported, including expanding activities of Russia's Lukoil with Venezuela's state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA.
Lukoil already is helping Venezuela quantify heavy crude oil deposits in its Orinoco River basin — one of the world's largest petroleum deposits. Russia's Gazprom has two natural gas exploration and production licenses in Venezuela.
Commercial trade between Venezuela and Russia reached $1.1 billion last year, up more than 200 percent from the $517 million in trade during 2006, according to statistics cited by Venezuela's state-run news agency. - AP
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/108500/Venezue...als-with-Russia
Fmr TOPP Awardee 82'PNP - July 23, 2008 08:38 AM (GMT)
This rogue ex-army corporal even offered Russia to install military base in his country.
He is one of those despotic & lunatic head of state whose gutter policy is blatantly an annoyance to the international community.
He is one of those despotic & lunatic head of state whose gutter policy is blatantly an annoyance to the international community.
MSantor - September 8, 2008 06:11 AM (GMT)
Looks like Chavez can't stand that Putin is hogging all the attention. What next? Russian-crewed subs operating from Venezuela and Cuba?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26587236/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26587236/
| QUOTE |
| Venezuela to host Russia navy exercise Joint maneuvers in Caribbean likely to increase tensions with Washington Reuters updated 3:20 a.m. PT, Sun., Sept. 7, 2008 CARACAS - Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday. Quoting Venezuela's naval intelligence director, Salbarore Cammarata, the newspaper Vea said four Russian boats would visit Venezuelan waters from November 10 to 14. Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heightened diplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscow and the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plans for a U.S. missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland. Cammarata said it would be the first time Russia's navy carried out such exercises in Latin America. He said the Venezuelan air force would also take part. Chavez: Russian planes welcome Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic of Washington, has said in recent weeks that Russian ships and planes are welcome to visit the South American country. "If the Russian long-distance planes that fly around the world need to land at some Venezuelan landing strip, they are welcome, we have no problems," he said on his weekly television show last week. Chavez, who buys billions of dollars of weapons from Russia, has criticized this year's reactivation of the U.S. Navy's Fourth Fleet, which will patrol Latin America for the first time in over 50 years. The socialist Chavez says he fears the United States will invade oil-rich Venezuela and he supports Russia's growing geopolitical presence as a counterbalance to U.S. power. Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russia to retool Venezuela's aging weapons and says he is also interested in a missile defense system. Copyright 2008 Reuters. |
seWer Rat - September 8, 2008 07:49 AM (GMT)
Chavez should also invite Cuba and Zimbabwe to joint this naval exercise just to spite America more
panzerkampfwagen - September 8, 2008 08:22 AM (GMT)
I am not surprised guys because both of their leaders are boiling angry to the United States. Who knows, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China, North Korea and Zimbabwe might form an AXIS-like pact to fight the United States.
That Mussolini-like Chavez is just finding some WORLD ATTENTION. He is a person who suffers from:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). :demon:
That Mussolini-like Chavez is just finding some WORLD ATTENTION. He is a person who suffers from:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). :demon:
page mcney - September 8, 2008 02:56 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE (panzerkampfwagen @ Sep 8 2008, 04:22 PM) |
| I am not surprised guys because both of their leaders are boiling angry to the United States. Who knows, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Cuba, China, North Korea and Zimbabwe might form an AXIS-like pact to fight the United States. That Mussolini-like Chavez is just finding some WORLD ATTENTION. He is a person who suffers from: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). :demon: |
in short: KSP sya (KULANG SA PANSIN) and KSPT (KULANG SA PANSIN TALAGA)...
:lollol: :drunk: :rollinlol:
Iron Dragon - September 9, 2008 01:46 AM (GMT)
Its just a naval exercise, the US Navy conducts exercises throughout the world why not the Russian Navy?
A resurgent Russian military could even be good to the world, it could counterbalance American arrogance.
A resurgent Russian military could even be good to the world, it could counterbalance American arrogance.
desertranger - September 11, 2008 02:12 AM (GMT)
Hardly arrogance but we tend to call it "Resolve". Its the media hyping this and the Russians fueling it by sending bombers and adding rehetoric. No one is really paying much attention when Chihuahah's bark.
seWer Rat - September 12, 2008 03:16 AM (GMT)
this is getting more interesting by the minute..
Chavez evicts US ambassador as Russian strategic bombers land in Venezuela
http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuter...P-3-TV-PIX.html
but I think the Americans should not be too affected by just two very old bombers in their backyard.
Chavez evicts US ambassador as Russian strategic bombers land in Venezuela
http://www.forbes.com/reuters/feeds/reuter...P-3-TV-PIX.html
but I think the Americans should not be too affected by just two very old bombers in their backyard.