Bombers In Cuba, Bases In Venezuela

Tupolev Tu-22M, a Russian variable-wing supersonic jet bomber first flown in 1969.

From Investor's Business Daily:

Geopolitics: As Barack Obama luxuriated in the adoration of Europeans, a less charming leader was also making his way across the Continent, seeking arms and military bases to direct toward the United States.

What happened under the radar last week ought to have gotten more attention, because it's the beginning of a problem that will carry well into the next administration.

While Obama was drawing applause in Germany, Venezuela's hostile and anti-American president, Hugo Chavez, was conducting a stealthy parallel trip across Europe spending billions of petrodollars on weapons of war he doesn't need.

In Russia, he vowed to buy $1 billion worth of diesel submarines, mobile missile systems and tanks. He also told Russian leaders he'd spend $30 billion for arms in coming years. He even offered Russia a military base on Venezuelan soil, according to Russian media.

Read more ....

My Comment: For the short term, this is nothing more but a nuisance. But if this continues there will be strategic and geopolitical implications.

In Latin America, America was always the whale in the room. You could not avoid it.
America is still the whale in the room, but there are a number of smaller players now, as well as a 800 lb gorilla that has always been quiet. That 800lb gorilla is Brazil.

Both the U.S. and Brazil have the same objectives in Latin America. They want peace, neighbors not interfering with each other, and economic development.

Cuba, Chavez's Venezuela, Nicaragua .... these governments have big dreams .... but internally they are very weak. As for Russia .... their priority is mainly internal. Their economy is still weak, strongly dependent on commodity prices. The Russian military is now decades behind the U.S., and a base in Venezuela will not impress anyone except the gullible.