Has the war in Ukraine really isolated Russia from the rest of the international players? The answer to this question seems less obvious every day, as the alliances between former “pariah” countries seem to be strengthening despite the Western sanctions which have long stifled their economies.
On Monday August 15, the Venezuela of Nicolás Maduro inaugurated for the first time on its soil the “International Military Games” or “Army Games”, organized by Russia since 2015 and in which countries such as Iran, China or Cuba participate. . According to the media Venezuela News, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said from the town of Barquisimeto, in the central western state of Lara:
“We embrace all the nations that have come to Venezuela to compete in a good way in these international games […] Rather than demonstrating military prowess, the purpose and spirit of these games is to unite cultures and peoples.”
While the 36 events of these games take place in several countries, Venezuela hosts the snipers competition to open the ball. Thirteen nations are involved: Azerbaijan, Algeria, Armenia, Belarus, Venezuela, Vietnam, Iran, India, Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan. The events range from the artillery competition to that of anti-aircraft units through the tank biathlon…
“Within 2,000 kilometers of American territory”
A real “challenge to the United States” when Russian troops land for military training “within 2,000 kilometers of American territory”according to the Panama Postan online media marked on the right, specialist in Latin America.
It is true that the Russian delegation was received with great fanfare for these military games, while the Russian invasion of Ukraine, condemned by the West, continues in Europe.
An eminently symbolic act, according to Panama Post :
“Until now, multinational military exercises have only been conducted by the United States on the continentmaking the deployment of Russian, Chinese and Iranian forces a first in the region.”