MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Russia Ratifies Interest in Latam; Plans for Nuclear Power and Military Sales

PM Vladimiar Putin and President Dmitri Medvedev have visited the region several times

Russia is planning to strengthen its relations with 61 countries worldwide, including Chile. It is exploring options in Latin America for the development of nuclear power and military sales, a document from its ministry of foreign affairs stated this week.

Russia became the main exporter of weapons to Latin America in 2009, outstripping the United States. Russian arms were purchased by Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Peru and Colombia, according to a study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a British research institute.

The Kremlin is planning to take advantage of the interest of six Latin American countries in “reducing their dependence on traditional suppliers, first of all, the United States,” the document said. Russia’s military and industrial development plans will focus on Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. Its plans for agricultural development will focus on countries like Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Russia is also interested in collaborating with Chile in studies of the Antarctic, mining, nuclear power and inter-bank connectivity, the document states. The Kremlin wants to make scientific investments, particularly in nuclear development, construction, aviation and telecommunications in Brazil.

Russia will focus on Cuba and Venezuela with reconstruction projects, modernization of electrical systems and production of oil and gas.

In previous years, Russian president Dmitri Medvedev signed a series of agreements with Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, and Russia invested 20 billion USD in oil projects in Venezuela last year. Venezuela has spent more than 4 billion USD on Russian-made weapons. In April Russia agreed to help Venezuela draw up plans to build a nuclear power plant.

The U.S. is mentioned in the ministry of foreign affairs document, which praises the nuclear agreement recently reached between the two countries.

Laura Burgoine - Santiago Times