CHAVEZ ANNOUNCES NAVAL EXERCISE WITH RUSSIA - MAYBE

C O N F I D E N T I A L CARACAS 001263 SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2017 TAGS: MCAP MOPS PGOV PREL RU VE SUBJECT: CHAVEZ ANNOUNCES NAVAL EXERCISE WITH RUSSIA - MAYBE Classified By: Political Counselor Francisco Fernandez for Reason 1.4(d). ¶1. (SBU). President Hugo Chavez hedged regarding a possible joint Naval exercises in November with visiting Russian vessels. During the September 7 episode of his Sunday television show "Alo Presidente," Chavez admitted Venezuela "was not ready" to host a port visit and exercise in September or October adding that "the end of November beginning of December" was more likely. The day before, Venezuelan Vice Admiral Salbatore Cammarata announced that a Russian task force of four ships would make a port call and conduct joint exercises November 10 - 14. The admiral added that in addition to surface ships, that submarines and Venezuelan air force maritime patrol aircraftwould participate. ¶2. (SBU) Spanish language media, citing the Russian news agency Inter-Tass on September 8, reported that a Russian task force consisting of the KIROV class cruiser Pytor Velikiy (Peter the Great),UDALOY II class destroyer Admiral Chabanenko, an oceanic rescue tug and a tanker would visit Venezuela before the end of the year. According to Inter-Tass, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko that "temporary basing of Russian anti-submarine aircraft" was also planned. (Note: According to Russian news monitoring service WSP, these would be TU-95 BEAR-H. End Note.) ¶3. (SBU) Chavez needled the opposition during his program inviting them to "make up rumors" about secret Russian bases in Venezuela for storing atomic bombs and nuclear submarine pens beneath Orchilla island. Chavez joked that he would fly a Suhkoi to pick up his compatriot Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and buzz Miami on their way to visit Castro in Cuba. Chavez declared that Venezuela was "free and nobody's colony" and that the "yanquis and pitiyanquis could squeal all they wanted." ¶4. (C) Comment: Despite the recent name change, the Venezuelan navy is not a blue-water force. Neither of its 209 class submarines are sea worthy and only two of its six LUPO class frigate are capable of leaving port. The lack of prosecution of sea-borne smugglers would also suggest little proficiency in surface surveillance coordination. The Russian task force will likely be little more than a photo-op for their best arms customer. CAULFIELD