"As sovereign nations, Russia and Venezuela have every right to engage in bilateral diplomatic and commercial exchange," writes COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth, discussing Caracas' recent billion-dollar arms deal with Moscow. "But we should not be unaware or naïve; U.S. interests are being affected to the extent our regional friends and allies are negatively impacted."
Brazil's Defense Minister Nelson Jobim traveled to Washington to sign a bilateral military agreement with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on April 12. The accord marks the frst military pact between the two countries since 1977. Gates travels this week to Peru, Colombia, and Barbados.
After his first trip to Caracas, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin revealed that Venezuela plans to spend over $5 billion on Russian arms. The news triggered U.S. concerns about an Andean weapons buildup and arms transfers.
General Douglas M. Fraser, Commander of U.S. Southern Command, spoke with AS/COA Online about supporting relief efforts in Chile and Haiti, the fight against illicit trafficking, Iran’s growing ties with Latin America, and weapons modernization in the Andes.
A UN investigation concluded that a slain Guatemalan lawyer hired a hit man to stage his own murder, despite a video alleging the country's president was behind the killing.
Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo reshuffled his country's top military commanders last week, sparking concerns about whether he has a secure hold on his post. The former priest faces a challenge from the opposition-controlled legislature and a string of paternity suits.
