Secretary General of the OAS Luis Leonardo Almagro has expressed great concern that two Russian aircraft capable of using nuclear weapons were in Venezuelan territory recently.
Media reports indicate that two Russian Tupolev Tu-160 strategic long-range heavy supersonic bomber aircraft landed at Maiquetia International Airport, just north of Caracas, on December 10, 2018. The planes are designed to strike strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons deep in continental theatres of operation.
The two planes landed after a 6,200 miles flight from Russia.
The Venezuelan army, in a statement, said the two bombers, along with an An-124 military transport aircraft and an Il-62 plane, were in Venezuela, “conducting interoperability drills with the Venezuelan Air Force.”
It did not say whether the bombers were carrying weapons.
But according to Amalgro, the presence of the planes is a violation of the Venezuelan constitution.
“The presence of this foreign military mission violates the Venezuelan Constitution because it has not been authorized by the National Assembly, as required by Article 187, paragraph 11. Therefore, we consider such an act harmful to Venezuelan sovereignty,” he said in a statement.
He also said the matter may also violate international law.
“Likewise, this action may also be in violation of fundamental norms of international law. Venezuela is a State Party to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (“Treaty of Tlatelolco”), whose first article prohibits the receipt, storage or possession of nuclear weapons by States party or by third parties in their territory,” Amalgro said. “The adoption of this treaty was a great achievement for Latin America and the Caribbean, which would made us the first region free of nuclear weapons. Its violation is a serious threat to international peace and security.”
He added, “We urge the bodies established in this agreement to adopt the necessary measures to verify compliance by Venezuela with its obligations, ensure that we are not in the presence of nuclear weapons as defined in Article 5 of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, and if a violation is found, that both the United Nations and the OAS be immediately informed, as established in Article 21.”
The landing of the heavy bombers in Venezuela created a sensation in diplomatic circles with some saying it was a display of the growing Russian military prowess that has been restored under President Vladimir Putin’s watch.
The planes left Venezuela on December 14.
Dominica has a close relationship with Venezuela and is also a member of the OAS.
Maybe this time the Prime Minister can finally have his international airport, he can ask Russia to construct it and as pay back he can allow Russia to use Portsmouth harbor as a Naval base and make use of the vacant Ross buildings to house the Russians. He has been promising an international airport for 20 years always at the time of elections so now is his chance to make good on his promise.
The Daily Mail this morning reports that Russia plans a permanent military base on the island of La Orchila, which is already used by the Venezuelan military and has an existing, long runway. It is located 125 miles N.E. of Caracas, 215 miles from Bird island , which is only 140 miles off Dominica. This would leave only a marginal gap of some 15 miles between Dominica and Venezuela, which the latter can not claim as an economic exclusion zone.
My fellow nature islanders, we need to wake up from our slumber and be vigilant of the highly calculated and potentially destructive geo-political chess game in which our beloved country and regional partners have been designated as dispensable pawns. As vulnerable small nation states who lack the economic clout and sustainability of the “super powers”, our leaders must be careful to not engage in “6 for 9” deals when seeking assistance or relief from seemingly generous big bad wolves in sheep clothing whose primary objective is world domination. That tempting promise of financial aid, medical services or infrastructure development assistance usually comes with an inevitably steep and sometime costly I-Owe-You on the back-end. It is incumbent on our leaders to refrain from shortsightedness while always being mindful to consider the cost before signing on the dotted line or frittering away another vote at the UN.
You are right. The week before last Maduro was in Moscow and secured a further U,S,6 billion from Russia in investments, primarily in the oil- & mining (read: gold)industries. Part of the deal is also for Russia to repair military equipment and supply Venezuela with much needed wheat to provide bread for a hungry populace.
Naturally, Russia wants to protect these investments, always with the silent approval of China, Russia’s sleeping partner in the energy industry.
For the doubters, these facts were widely published, incl. in our region, such as the Jamaica Observer of 7 Dec,
Remember the prime minister said when things go south he will be the least affected. It was probably a freudian slip when he said that at a rally (in an attempt to demonize people who were criticizing his policies) but he is absolutely right. He has everything set for himself so that if Dominica were to end up in the worst situation possible he would have his escape route.
So why all u think the double (Dr) PhD left the House of Assembly without notice to the nation and was a no-show for the CREED debate and gave priority to the meeting of ALBA. The head honcho of Venezuela recently visited Russia and must have brought back some goodies from Santa Putin so the children had to go and pay homage to their Imperial Masters. When the Feds are ready for you garcon no Russian nuclear capability can save you.
Russia has for a long time had an alliance with Venezuela.
Angelo was right all along. That is why I believe they put pressure on Q95 to stop him broadcasting at all costs. Angelo has never been challenged on his disclosures as far as I know.
these are the type of people we want to be “friends” with?
a joke that man? that is a yearly training exercise for the Russians . now alone them man have mouth man? the USA does not even worry, but u running your mouth about something u obviously have no clue about
Yearly? the last two times that happened was at moments of “heightened tensions” between the US venezuela and Russia. But you obviously know more than the person who is the head of the OAS.
Yes yearly as magway ca says. For the past years Russia has been using Venezuelan airspace for its tropical weather acclimatisation training for its bombers. Every year without fail at the end of the hurricane season . It is only talked about during times of your so called heightened tensions. Or when political stooges point it out to try and make themselves be known. Russia has a treaty with Venezuela that allows them to use the bases and airspace for training. I’m surprised this is brought up all of a sudden. When regular Chinese incursions into the Caribbean region is always being made by armed Chinese war ships. And nothing is said. And U.N. armed Russian aircraft training in Venezuela is made a big deal of. Is it because the Chinese regularly donate so called aid to the governments so they shut up. And because Russia is not a regular donater they are being made to look like the aggressor?
@Walking the line
Sources for your claim of Russians doing training with those planes in Venezuelan airspace on a yearly basis? Every single source (even those going against the mainstream narrative) claim that this is only the 3rd time in 15 years.
Also you consider the times we live in now “so called heightened tensions”? You obviously have no idea of our current geopolitical climate or you are just playing ignorant for some odd reason
The Monroe Doctrine states that America have the right to do what ever it wants in its backyard . It was tested with the Soviet Unions Missile crisis some years back in Cuba . This time , it may be a different ball game , with Dominica, yes Dominica playing some role . America is turning the screws on Br Murdero , willing to kill him if push come shove , the under current of all these International political activities , places Dominica in an environment that could be very detrimental long term . The signed Bilateral agreements between China/Russia/Venezuela and Dominica , may have some loopholes , Chinees and Russian troops can be stationed on the Island, if China and Russia decides to come to come to the assistance of Venezuela , in their struggle against U S Imperialism . It may not come today or tomorrow , but the possibilities truly exist.
Well the MOU (according to the PM) simply states that dominica must support the one china policy. But anybody who has ever looked at any type of treaty, accord or agreement between countries knows it is never that simple. There is always some type of catch. Like when they with the Paris accords tried to sneak in their pro LGBT social justice garbage as part of the agreement. So who knows what else besides just “supporting the one china policy” that we have agreed to or rather that someone has aggreed to on our behalf.
Exactly, according to the PM! I for one don’t believe a single word the PM says. He is a serial liar, corrupt and to top it all he is breaking the laws of our country now. What a fine PM we got ourselves! Well done DLP!!!
Continue…….Nothing will make Russia happier than to have a presence in the west. They have been trying for years and now is perfect time. Our dear leader and the leadership of Venezuela will definitely drag thier people into the pit of misery and we will become collateral damage because of mans ego, greed and selfishness. The prime minister has increasingly become all of the above and now claims to have direct link to messages from above. Power in the hands of some people turn them in to devils and as a nation we must guard against at all cost. This is becoming too simillar to the late 70s with Cuba and Grenada etc. When will we learn. The only solution is to revolt against the leaders who oppresses us and put the lust for power and delusions of deity over the future the people. Dominicans need to wise up and remove the veil of red clinic, care for elderly, scholarship for sex, money for votes and deception over thier eyes.
Our government CBI office is now showing two authorised agents selling our passports in Moscow,
It is not the first time they have done. This time they are thinking of putting a base. Whe have seen this movie before in the cold war days and the speead of communism. Like i have said on here before cina and Russia are looking to take over the world dominance. It is an ego and spread of national pride. The US is no different and right now at the top. The problem is the current US President has weakened US a bit and meddling of Russia in thier elections was deliberately for that reasons. Russia also have some brilliant folks but thier system of gov is brutal. The oligarchs, and wealthy elites today are no different from kings and elites in the past so we have these folks flexing thier muscle for power and world dominance. The us has domestic strife and now may seem ideal time. My fear is when trump gets out of office the pendulum may violently snap the other direction. They are only exploiting the likes of Venezuela and Dominica to get what they want.
“My fear is when trump gets out of office the pendulum may violently snap the other direction” – wait what? So you want Trump to stay in there for life?
Jokes aside you all are really reaching with some of the comparisons that you make. China’s global domination game has very little to do with “national pride” and more to do with geopolitical maneuvering. They know (just as anybody with their eyes open knows) that a major war is on the horizon. They are doing everything in their power to bolster their defenses beforehand.
Trump also knows this which is why he is trying his best to consolidate manufacturing and production in his country and cut down on chinese imports to weaken their economy. Americans will complain about increased price due to tarrifs but while they have to pay a few $ more for cheap plastic junk and electronics they probably don’t need China is feeling it more with lowering exports hurting their gdp
https://www.bloomberg…
You seem to jump to some unfounded conclusion before you state your points. The nationalist approach and screw the rest of tbe world attitude invites the likes of Putin. Geopolitical maneuvering for what. Human being behaviour dont change. Hitler motivated Germany by preaching superiority. China new found pseudo capitalism is now giving them the same attitude and russia no different. The US has been guilty also. 300 years ago it was the british france spain through imperial powers. Why do you need a nuclear bomber for humanitarian needs? War and strife has always been part of human civilization. Survival of fittest and smartest still exist. You can either choose a system that oppresses human basic rights and freedon or one that dictates to you. I have more respect for the kings of old because they would be on the battlefield. Today those morden day kings live life of power and luxury while the masses continue beg. Then there are leaders who will stand up to the likes of Hitler, putin
There are leaders who would standup to the hatred of trump, the thirst for power from people like Maduro, Skerrit et al. What advancement for world peace we will achieve? Irradication of hunger, and poverty when we invite possibility of conflict with world powers at our doors. Man cannot improve the world with lies, insults, hatred, division, greed and fear. The earth was created out of violent forces man will continue to be violent unless there are people willing to fight and die for truth, justice, honor and respect for humanity. The struggle over good and evil is in the pit of our existence and yes good people have to dight sometimes violently to pritecr what is right. I am hoping when the next US President comes he or she will have the fortitude to fight for what is right for humanity and keep the darn Russian and Chinese nukes and philosophy where it belongs.
What unfounded conclusion? I’m only giving my opinion based on what I know. And you don’t think that spending millions of dollars to buy the support of small island states, buying out a failing state to open up territorial access, building military bases in marine spaces that have been open trade routes for years etc, all constitutes geopolitical maneuvering? Or is that term completely lost on you in your fantasy world of fighting for justice or w/e it is you think.
And funny that you think China and Russia are bad but you have a problem with Trump when his policies have hurt both of these countries. I really don’t get it. It’s like some warped obsession with hating someone for some made up reason that you don’t even see when the person is actually doing things that you agree with.
Here’s an easy one. Are you for or against ABORTION? If you are against it (like most dominicans) you side with TRUMP and against the opposition.
Skerrit was there too at the same time. He is playing with fire.
@ Pipo, Skerrit is playing with fire as you said ! It could not be any worse than having Linton and his calamity clowns around you.
Moron Putin will do anything to rule the world and the caribbean is the perfect spot,once he has fools like Skerrit and Maduro on his side,but let it be known his bombs are no threat to America, the bought the Soviet Union down before and will again in due time,Skerrit is desperate to stay in power so god knows what he has up his sleeve only,but dictators always fail.
Let’s hear PM Skerrit come out and support Venezuela on this matter.
Which will be further isolation of Dominica and its people economical survival.
If you don’t hear you will feel!!!!!!