Regional governments and experts cannot help recall the similar exercise in 1983 when the US flotilla was diverted from the Mediterranean to invade tiny Granada, and believe this is the spearhead of new US militarization of the zone.

People who have been at the sharp end of U.S. imperialism have long memories, and this deployment will be a further reminder of what a false friend the U.S. has been to Latin America. It may rebound upon them, with elections due in Nicaragua, and Chavez making political capital out of U.S. militarism, but the Pentagon seems unworried. Alternatively, something awful might be afoot.

Meanwhile in a totally disconnected move Hugo Chavez and Vladimir Putin have signed a deal that will overhaul the Venezuelan air force, whilst the U.S. deployment comes as Ecuador joins the petro-revolt against U.S. hegemony in Latin America.

[Posted By Szamko]

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By Unattributed
Republished from Prensa Latina

Three warships, 2,000 troops en route to join Operation "Caribbean Lion"

Three more US warships with 2,000 troops aboard left for the Caribbean Wednesday, to join the combat fleet there since April, at which regional governments and social groups look with a jaundiced eye.

The Pentagon-led “Caribbean Lion 2006”, military exercises to begin Tuesday, include aerial reconnaissance, maritime depth measurements and terrain analysis in addition to other activities, is perceived by local analysts to be evaluating possibilities for an attack against one or more countries in the area.

Included in the exercise are US Special Forces “trained to enter hostile territory and physically destroy the enemy.”

Although technically led by Holland, the monumental training exercise will have an extremely strong US presence and will extend until June 15, with bases on two islands off the Venezuelan coast (Curacao and Guadalupe).

“Officially this military operation does not have any political purpose; extra-officially, the exercise can be interpreted as a signal to Hugo Chavez [president of Venezuela],” Caribseek digital news affirms.

Regional governments and experts cannot help recall the similar exercise in 1983 when the US flotilla was diverted from the Mediterranean to invade tiny Granada, and believe this is the spearhead of new US militarization of the zone.

The Pentagon asserts the massive military concentration is to coordinate local forces in the anti-drug fight and informs it will touch ports in Honduras, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Curacao, San Martin, Cartagena, Nicaragua and San Cristobel and Nevis.