Post by revirdsuba99 on Nov 20, 2017 17:11:58 GMT
Russia is meddling in Latin America, too
BY STEPHEN BLANK, OPINION CONTIBUTOR — 11/20/17 10:20 AM EST
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, and thus the Venezuelan state, is in default. Normally default triggers a crisis for the defaulting government that must undergo major reform and for its creditors who must rearrange payments of their debts. But Venezuela’s default represents a major crisis for Latin American and potentially for the U.S. as well.
Argentina’s President Macri has already urged Washington to ban all Venezuelan oil exports to bring that government to its knees because he recognizes the continental dimensions of Venezuela’s crisis. That dimension is expressed in Moscow’s long-standing and continuing efforts to use Venezuela as a base for subversion of Latin American governments form Mexico to Argentina.
Moscow has long sought to ensconce itself in key Venezuelan energy sectors and provide loans and weapons to the regimes of Hugo Chavez and then Nicolás Maduro so they could use this assistance to destabilize the entire continent.
*******************
Rising oil prices reduce the pressure of sanctions and low princes on Russia’s economy, enabling Moscow to circumvent Western pressure. It would also provide more resources with which to pacify Russia’s increasingly volatile domestic environment, where signs of socio-economic distress and demonstrations are growing rapidly.
Rising oil prices could convert these newly acquired fields into a bonanza for Moscow. Higher prices also offer leverage across Latin America and on U.S. energy through CITGO, which is owned by Venezuela and where Rosneft is a large stockholder.
But beyond money and potential political influence these deals allow Moscow to gain more influence in Venezuela and across Latin America. There Russia can work in tandem with Iran and China, who have even larger investments there to support all manner of insurgent, drug-running, terrorist and anti-American forces. Possessing the commanding heights of Venezuela’s economy solidifies Moscow’s ability to indulge in these covert games and tighten ties among its Latin American allies, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
************
Analysts in Washington express concern that in case of a default Moscow will again bail out Caracas but this time it will obtain more strategic assets for itself that affect the entire Latin American world. This is not as far-fetched as it may sound.
In February 2014, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced progress in talks with eight governments to establish a global network of airbases to extend the reach of Russia's long-range maritime and strategic aviation assets and thus increase Russia’s global military presence.
Shoigu said, “We are working actively with the Seychelles, Singapore, Algeria, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and even in some other countries. We are in talks and close to a result.”
Long article at link:
thehill.com/opinion/international/361148-russias-is-meddling-in-latin-america-too
Russia, Russia, Russia......... hands every where........... They sure are patient! Willing to wait and work for years to get us.
.......and dt ignores it all as do his supporters!
BY STEPHEN BLANK, OPINION CONTIBUTOR — 11/20/17 10:20 AM EST
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA, and thus the Venezuelan state, is in default. Normally default triggers a crisis for the defaulting government that must undergo major reform and for its creditors who must rearrange payments of their debts. But Venezuela’s default represents a major crisis for Latin American and potentially for the U.S. as well.
Argentina’s President Macri has already urged Washington to ban all Venezuelan oil exports to bring that government to its knees because he recognizes the continental dimensions of Venezuela’s crisis. That dimension is expressed in Moscow’s long-standing and continuing efforts to use Venezuela as a base for subversion of Latin American governments form Mexico to Argentina.
Moscow has long sought to ensconce itself in key Venezuelan energy sectors and provide loans and weapons to the regimes of Hugo Chavez and then Nicolás Maduro so they could use this assistance to destabilize the entire continent.
*******************
Rising oil prices reduce the pressure of sanctions and low princes on Russia’s economy, enabling Moscow to circumvent Western pressure. It would also provide more resources with which to pacify Russia’s increasingly volatile domestic environment, where signs of socio-economic distress and demonstrations are growing rapidly.
Rising oil prices could convert these newly acquired fields into a bonanza for Moscow. Higher prices also offer leverage across Latin America and on U.S. energy through CITGO, which is owned by Venezuela and where Rosneft is a large stockholder.
But beyond money and potential political influence these deals allow Moscow to gain more influence in Venezuela and across Latin America. There Russia can work in tandem with Iran and China, who have even larger investments there to support all manner of insurgent, drug-running, terrorist and anti-American forces. Possessing the commanding heights of Venezuela’s economy solidifies Moscow’s ability to indulge in these covert games and tighten ties among its Latin American allies, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.
************
Analysts in Washington express concern that in case of a default Moscow will again bail out Caracas but this time it will obtain more strategic assets for itself that affect the entire Latin American world. This is not as far-fetched as it may sound.
In February 2014, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced progress in talks with eight governments to establish a global network of airbases to extend the reach of Russia's long-range maritime and strategic aviation assets and thus increase Russia’s global military presence.
Shoigu said, “We are working actively with the Seychelles, Singapore, Algeria, Cyprus, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and even in some other countries. We are in talks and close to a result.”
Long article at link:
thehill.com/opinion/international/361148-russias-is-meddling-in-latin-america-too
Russia, Russia, Russia......... hands every where........... They sure are patient! Willing to wait and work for years to get us.
.......and dt ignores it all as do his supporters!
