Putin and Trump's pincer movement on South America as 'troops build up' on border

[Kurokage]

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-...h-36313205

Vladimir Putin has sent one of his most senior generals to Venezuela, as well as Russian forces whose role is to train an infamous dictator’s troops.

According to a senior Ukraine intelligence official, General Kyrlo Budanov, Russia has set up what’s known as the ‘Equator Task Force.’ This is led by Colonel General Oleg Makarevich and is a cohort of 120 soldiers who are training the Venezuelan army on everything from infantry tactics to drone use.

It comes after Trump is ramping up its number of military equipment, warships and troops close to the region. While it’s said that the increased presence is due to drug traffickers, it’s also part of a wider campaign to pressure Maduro to resign.
 
He also described the task force as being made up of ‘military advisors and also teachers’ who are providing training for infantry units, UAV operators and special forces.
The Ukrainian official added that while he’s seen no increase in Russian numbers since the US build-up began, Makarevich appears to have had his stay extended beyond the usual six-month rotation, according to the Daily Mail.
It comes as no surprise given Russia’s increasing influence in South America. A briefing published by the European Parliament outlines some of the reasons why Putin is looking to foster strong relationships with the Global South that are ‘not firmly aligned with the Western world.’

 
Kremlin-backed misinformation campaigns in the Global SouthOne way Russia has worked on gaining influence in Latin America is through the use of powerful disinformation campaigns that ‘exploit the openness of democratic societies,’ according to experts.
For example, Russia’s state-sponsored media outlet RT has placed ads all over Mexico City’s busiest roads, with slogans such as ‘the news has no borders.’
 Analysis from Modern Diplomacy found that these ads, designed as polished, neutral journalism, aimed to target working class communities in Mexico with ‘subtle, strategic misinformation designed to reshape their perception of truth, democracy, and international alliances.’
Military exchanges between Russia and VenezuelaRussia’s military influence in region started in the early 2000s, as part of what’s known as the ‘Primakov Doctrine.’ This is the belief that Russia should hold influence in regions where the US does (such as the Global South) in retaliation for US interference in Eastern Europe.

I found this little article this morning, and found it interesting.

Russia has always tried to get a foot hold in South American since the old USSR days, you'd have to have been living under a rock to not of heard about the Cuban missile crisis.

Russia has always wanted to have more influence on Americas' borders, but has never really been in a position to do so since the fall of the USSR.
It's been suggested that Russia has been behind a lot of the people smuggling gangs and cyber attacks to try to destabilise and sow division in Europe, in it's efforts at a 'hybrid' war against NATO.
Is this Russia trying to do the same thing in South America now?

What's the opinion of the D.I. members??

[IDELB2006]

Russia has always wanted to have more influence on Americas' borders, but has never really been in a position to do so since the fall of the USSR.
It's been suggested that Russia has been behind a lot of the people smuggling gangs and cyber attacks to try to destabilise and sow division in Europe, in it's efforts at a 'hybrid' war against NATO.
Is this Russia trying to do the same thing in South America now?

This is nothing new. Both Russia and China have been working to influence, and support dictators in the America's for close to 100 years. 

Considering what's going on with Ukraine,  and Taiwan, its not that surprising that Russia and China would ramp up there influence in the America's.

[quintessentone]

From your post:

"Military exchanges between Russia and VenezuelaRussia’s military influence in region started in the early 2000s, as part of what’s known as the ‘Primakov Doctrine.’ This is the belief that Russia should hold influence in regions where the US does (such as the Global South) in retaliation for US interference in Eastern Europe."

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I'd say they are a little too close for comfort.

[Kurokage]

This is nothing new. Both Russia and China have been working to influence, and support dictators in the America's for close to 100 years. 

Considering what's going on with Ukraine,  and Taiwan, its not that surprising that Russia and China would ramp up there influence in the America's.

I think the term 'a new cold war' should be replace with hybrid war, that both Russia and China have been playing for a long time.
I know the west isn't innocent either but it's tiny in comparison to the cyber & social warfare committed by Russia and China. Being able to splinter and infect an enemy instead of out right war has been the best way to go, for Russian especially after showing the world how bad it's military might is.

[Kurokage]

From your post:

"Military exchanges between Russia and VenezuelaRussia’s military influence in region started in the early 2000s, as part of what’s known as the ‘Primakov Doctrine.’ This is the belief that Russia should hold influence in regions where the US does (such as the Global South) in retaliation for US interference in Eastern Europe."

--------

I'd say they are a little too close for comfort.

I'd agree, and shows how Putin is playing Trump,  especially when we found out that Steve Witkoff advised Putin´s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that the Russian leader should flatter Trump's ego in a bid to get a Ukraine peace deal.
Putin is smiling and making pleasantries with Trump whilst supporting and training the Venezuelans.  
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...-deal.html

Kremlin fury at leaked call after Russian aide agreed Putin would flatter Trump's ego in a bid to get Ukraine peace deal.The Kremlin has expressed fury after a transcript of a phone call leaked showing a high-ranking Moscow aide agree that Vladimir Putin would flatter Donald Trump in a bid to reach a Ukraine peace deal. 

[quintessentone]

I'd agree, and shows how Putin is playing Trump,  especially when we found out that Steve Witkoff advised Putin´s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov that the Russian leader should flatter Trump's ego in a bid to get a Ukraine peace deal.
Putin is smiling and making pleasantries with Trump whilst supporting and training the Venezuelans.  
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...-deal.html

I was reading an article which theorized that any warfare the U.S. intends to inflict on Venezuela needs to come from the air because they suspect many guerrilla fighters will be coming from other SA countries to fight, so US boots on the ground won't have much success.

It certainly is odd that Trump is taking a break from this 'peace' deal and not putting pressure on Putin to accept it, don't you think?

[Kurokage]

I was reading an article which theorized that any warfare the U.S. intends to inflict on Venezuela needs to come from the air because they suspect many guerrilla fighters will be coming from other SA countries to fight, so US boots on the ground won't have much success.

It certainly is odd that Trump is taking a break from this 'peace' deal and not putting pressure on Putin to accept it, don't you think?

Especially if Trump is being told what Putin is up to in his neck of the woods.

If Russia is training Venezuelans is the use of drones and the tactics they've had to resort to in Ukraine, then it will be a mess if Trump eventually does send troops. 
But to be honest, I think Trumps threats to Venezuela are not that serious yet.

[Maxmars]

I wonder if the old-style strategies is really applicable in Venezuela... as well as the cold-war era "cozying" up to potential "theater" exploits as a prelude to an aggressive operation.

This, however, is the 21st century... and "creating a people's movement" during an economic crisis just doesn't manifest as it did when people simply 'bought into' narratives about "capitalism" and "the people's economy."

All military deployment is 'reasoned' before it is committed... except in gang wars and "personal" use of
military forces paid for by "tax-payers" through abject corruption and betrayals... fascism.

I can almost guarantee that there is an overriding "commerce" driver for this development.  

The "oil" universe want's their "oil toys" back... and all the money they declared they "lost" when the toys were taken from them.

The "Americans" (that political object we all fall under) became alarmed at Venezuela's obvious failures to contain it's citizens rejection of the "game"... we watched.... the media "reported."

But when "American commerce" became alarmed.... when the point was money... where are our soldiers deployed?  And for how long?  and until which third-party is satisfied?

Globalism manifests as "mafia".... just like many of our collective governments....

Sigh.... I'm soon to be confronted by the worshipers of Columbia...  Profit is God, Wealth is virtue.

[SteamyAmerican]

Can someone please explain why Maduro’s people are about to experience the wrath of Uncle Sam and yet Trump is able to pardon Hernandez the same week he says Venezuela’s air-space is “closed” on social media.

or am I just slow?

[SteamyAmerican]

This is nothing new. Both Russia and China have been working to influence, and support dictators in the America's for close to 100 years. 

Considering what's going on with Ukraine,  and Taiwan, its not that surprising that Russia and China would ramp up there influence in the America's.

Ahem. You’re forgetting the US has been south of our border for the same thing. Many times over.