The U.S and Latin America

[Jecito]

Is the US losing its influence in Latin America?
Today Hugo Chavez expelled the in his words 'the s***head yankies ambassador and told them to go to hell a 1000 times''...while such rhetoric is nothing unusual for Chavez the fact is that while he stated this he was hosting Russian Tu-160 Strategic Bombers. Putin has stated that he wants to see such bombers permanently positioned in Cuba or Venezuela. As well as possible submarine or naval bases. The Venezuelan president also makes regular visits to Iran, and has strong relations with Tehran and Hezbollah. China is also expanding its influence in Latin America. Same goes for the Chavez satellites throughout Latin America. Ecuador which hosts a US FOL (which is also getting kicked out next year) may give control of the airbase to China. It recently gave control of the Manta port (where the base is located) to a Chinese company, subsequently all US Navy ships port calls where canceled and they were banned from operations in Ecuadorian waters. Ecuador is also looking for a free trade deal with Iran. Similar story in Bolivia, Nicaragua etc. He is successfully exporting his style of government throughout Latin America, as well as funding the FARC.
In response the US has reactivated the fourth fleet, and gives billions to Colombia in military aid. How would the US react to permanent stationing of the Russian Military in Venezuela? Is Chavez as crazy as the Georgian president to provoke the USA into a war, which is exactly what he would most want. Elevating him to in his mind 'hero status' for taking on the evil empire?

 

[eaf-f16]

Is the US losing its influence in Latin America?

Yes, it is. But can I just point something out?

The Venezuelan president also makes regular visits to Iran, and has strong relations with Tehran and Hezbollah.

The Venezuelan government has no ties to Hezbollah. Hezbollah's "Venezuela connection" comes from Venezuela's Lebanese community.

 

[Pro'forma]

Illegal stopping of international stability and progress is not helping no-one.
Latin America is not expecting the 21th century 'Gran'-revolution and while
almost everybody in the civilized nations is expecting Russia to participate
with Nato peace-keeping forces in the future, the trivial approach to spread
the tensions of art of supremacy is nonsense; in years gone by.

Medieval ages fighting is stuck. Venezuela drug-dealing, Columbian farc-terrorist-groups should continue being operated with responsible
military investigations. Where the corruption is not needed, the helping hand should find the lands.
(Those hurricanes must have changed the mind-set)

 

[ROCK45]

Chavez looks to buy 24 K8 next year

I know Venezuela is buying Russian now but it seems he's opening some door's to China with this order and future refineries if it goes through. Does anybody think FC-1 as Mirage V replacements could have a chance?

For maintenance purposes if Venezuela ground crews could handle the AL-31 on their Su-39MK2V wouldn't the AL-31 in China's J-10 similar? If the engines are similar enough wouldn't the J-10 be an interesting prospect for Venezuela?

To me Venezuela has more to replace then just F-16s and maybe FC-1 in some form or even future J-10 sale could be in the works two or three years down the road a little?

The k8 article I found
Venezuela to buy Chinese combat planes: Chavez
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gTqVTXDIFh8pewc_Fp2AJiF8fTbA

 

[Feanor]

An Su-35 deal is more likely, as it's already in the works. Another thing of course to add to the list, Bolivia also expelled their US ambasador, and Nicaragua recognized S. Ossetia, and Abkhazia, following it up with heavy anti-US rhetoric. The FARC is still fairly active, and Cuba is holding out strong.

 

[ROCK45]

Venezuela

Would it be smart buying two types of Flankers for Venezuela Flanker "young" air force to take on? If Russia doesn't get a export order or orders couldn't some of the systems & equipment in the Su-35 be worked into MK/MKI/MK2/etc type Flankers as a upgrade?

Isn't the Su-35 going to be a little larger then a standard Su-30? I can't stop thinking that flying such a large size fighter in modern combat can't be a good thing. I understand that having all that fuel is great for range, great payloads, great low speed handling, but your still flying in a large target. A target that can be seen from a good distance away. I would have like Russia looking into designs that are lighter in weight and size as general Flanker replacements then the Su-35 path. I'm sure its going to be a good performer overall like all the aircraft in the Flanker family it's just that its huge.

Nicaragua recognized S. Ossetia

I expect no less from a Chavez wiper

Cuba is holding out strong

No opinion really either way.

Bolivia also expelled their US ambasador

The Current President is another Chavez wiper so again nothing surprising there but Bolivia's a little split. If Bolivia gets there act together they have huge natural gas reserves and a mining industry that could be tapped much better then it is currently. If Bolivia wasn't a land locked country others would be falling over themselves to get in there. I don't know how much power or control the cartels have in Bolivia I don't think its like the 70s and early 80s but I may be wrong.

Its just a feeling but think China's going to get into the South American arms market. I think a few of the countries you mentioned might be on the maybe list.