2008/2013/2018 Russian Bombers Landed in Venezuela

On September 10,2008, two Russian Tu-160 bombers arrived in Venezuela to carry out training exercises over the Caribbean and Atlantic. [1] The bombers returned to Russia on October 15. US Press Secretary Sean McCormick stated that the US government would “watch very closely the activities of Russia in Venezuela.” [1] President Chavez said that there would be no Russian bases in Venezuela because the 1999 Venezuelan Constitution prohibits foreign military bases in Venezuela.

On October 28, 2013, two Tu-160 Russian bombers flew from Russia and landed in Venezuela [2]. The bombers flew to Nicaragua on October 31. Two NATO F-16 jets were scrambled from Bodo Air Base in Norway to monitor their flight. The Russian Defense Ministry said the mission was carried out for “combat training.” [2]

In 2015, President Obama declared Venezuela represented an “extraordinary threat” to the National Security of the US.  In 2017, President Trump told reporters that there were “many options “to resolve the Venezuelan crisis and added:” And by the way, I’m not going to rule out a military option.” [3]

On December 10, 2018, two Tu-160 bombers landed in Venezuela “angering” the US. [4] The bombers were accompanied by an An-124 military transport plane and an I1-62 passenger jet which carried more than 100 Russian military personnel and advisers [3]. The bombers left Venezuela on December 12. The US launched four NORAD F-15 fighter jets which were poised to intercept the bombers if they entered US airspace.[5] The landing of the bombers in Venezuela was regarded as a signal to Washington that Venezuela was not without international support. [3][4] The Russian Defense Minister said that such long-range flights provided pilots with excellent experience and helped maintain the planes’ combat readiness. [4]

Secretary of State Pompeo condemned the Russian flight writing: “The Russian and Venezuelan people should see this for what it is: two corrupt governments squandering public funds.” Venezuela’s Foreign Minister responded: “It’s outrageous that the US government questions our right to security cooperation with other countries when Donald Trump has threatened us publicly with a military intervention.” A Russian spokesman said that:” as for the idea that we are squandering money, we do not agree. It’s really not appropriate for a country half of whose defense budget could feed all of Africa to be making such statements. [4] 

  


1., Venezuelanalysis, Russian Bombers Land in Venezuela for Training, September 13, 2008.

2 Defense Update, Russian Tu-160 Strategic Bombers Land in Venezuela, October 30, 2013

3. Guardian, Venezuela Welcomes Russian Bombers in Show of Support for Maduro, December 10,2018

4. Reuters, Russian Nuclear-Capable Bomber Aircraft Fly to Venezuela, Angering U.S, December 11, 2018

5.NORAD, NORAD Launches Aircraft in Response to Russian Bomber Activity, December 12, 2018.

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