Russian warships to help Chavez's anti-U.S. drive

By Frank Jack Daniel

CARACAS (Reuters) - Russian warships will sail into the Caribbean later this year, helping Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to fend off perceived U.S. aggression and weaken Washington's influence in its traditional backyard.

Evoking Cold War memories, Russia said this week it would send the missile-laden, nuclear-powered cruiser Peter the Great and other hi-tech ships for joint naval exercises with Venezuela scheduled for November.

The manoeuvres show a resurgent Russia flexing its military muscle at a time of diplomatic tension with the United States after the Georgia war and over Washington's plans for a missile defence shield hosted by several former Soviet states.

For Chavez, the Russian visit serves notice to the United States that is no longer rules the waves around South America.

It also reinforces Venezuela's diplomatic and domestic policies designed to protect his government against a U.S. attack he says could come at any time.

Chavez, the socialist leader of South America's top oil exporter, likes to antagonize Washington and enthusiastically supports the rise of Russia as a balance to U.S. political and economic dominance, including in Georgia.

The man whose military training was in a tank division sees Venezuela as an important player on the side of rising powers such as Russia and China.

"Venezuela is a strategic ally of Russia. So let the Russian fleet come. It's welcome," Chavez said during his live weekly television show on Sunday.