Military Deployments in Latin America and the Caribbean

Battle Group Made Ready to Attack

USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group departs Norfolk, Virginia, January 28, 2019.

The U.S. Navy has deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln, stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, and its escort of deadly cruisers and destroyers, in exercises codenamed COMPTUEX intended to certify the combat readiness of the fleet prior to the start of a mission. The destination of the deployment is unknown, news agencies report, however military consultants Stratfor and Southfront located the carrier strike group (CSG) somewhere in the Atlantic off the coast of the state of Florida, the Maritime Herald reported. Since the COMPTUEX Compound Training Exercise started on January 25 and usually last about a month, and it was reported to have most recently tried crossing straits, a necessary manoeuvre to enter the Caribbean Sea, this puts this battle group as being ready to be deployed against Venezuela.

U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) spokespersons said on February 20 that the command is ready to face "any scenario" in Venezuela.

In addition, experts point out that an attack on Venezuela can even be conducted from bases on the continental United States. They also point out that in no case would they act with impunity, taking into account the defensive systems available to the Venezuelan military.

The fleet is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), the Ticonderoga-class USS Leyte Gulf missile cruiser and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Bainbridge, USS Gonzalez, USS Mason and USS Nitze. They were joined by the Spanish navy vessel, the ESPS Méndez Núñez.

The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier, operates the Embarked Air Squadron (CVW) 7, equipped with the Lockheed F-35C Lightning II, the most advanced fighter-bomber in the U.S. arsenal. It is said to have "a significant radius of action, although with a notorious history of technical failures and mismatches during its commissioning," one commentator pointed out.

"CSGs have cross-platform capabilities to operate wherever and whenever required, and in addition to having the flexibility and sustainability to fight large-scale wars and ensure the freedom of the seas, CSGs [Attack Groups with Aircraft Carrier] are visible and powerful symbols of U.S. commitment to their Allies, partners and friends," said an official press release from the U.S. Navy.

The U.S. currently maintains 76 military bases in Latin America and the Caribbean Sea. Among the best known are 12 in Panama, 12 in Puerto Rico, nine in Colombia, and eight in Peru, with most of the remaining 35 concentrated in Central America and elsewhere, including the Guantánamo base on appropriated Cuban territory.

Deployment of U.S. Navy's battle groups around the world earlier in 2019.

U.S. Southern Command's "Masterstroke" Plan

One year ago, on February 23, 2018, Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, when he was commanding general of SOUTHCOM, released the military plan called "masterstroke," to invade and takeover Venezuela. The military plan demonstrates that the international portrayal of a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is entirely fabricated to achieve the premeditated aim of achieving regime change.[1] Since then, U.S. imperialism has steadily increased the pace and scope of massive military operations (Tradewinds, Panamax and the largest, UNITAS) in the Caribbean jointly with NATO forces, including Britain and Canada and sell-out regimes in countries such as Colombia and Brazil.

A U.S. Special Forces naval warfare centre (e.g., Seal Team) is operating from the Colombian naval base at the port city of Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast. Canadian Forces participated in the annual U.S.-led UNITAS 2018 naval-air-land exercises, conducting operations in the southern Caribbean Sea as well as on the Pacific coast in late August and early September 2018. In parallel, the UNITAS Amphibious 2018 was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 20-25, 2018. This year, 23 countries participated either with military units or observers. Military forces participating in one or both of these exercises from outside the hemisphere included Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, and Poland from the NATO bloc -- and Thailand. Noteworthy, is that in January last year was the arrival of U.S. military personnel in Panama. This military contingent stayed there through the end of Venezuelan presidential elections in May 2018, under the pretext of "protecting the Panama Canal."

Background

In 1999, after 80 years of occupation, the U.S. government was forced to close its Howard Air Force Base in Panama as a major centre of military operations in the region. It established three small bases, which it operated under the pretext of strengthening anti-narcotic missions, which at the same time increased their capabilities in aerial and naval monitoring and surveillance of the entire Caribbean and South America.

On May 1, 1999, the U.S. began operations from these Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) in El Salvador, Curaçao and Aruba, and Manta, Ecuador, which was subsequently closed by that country in 2009 because of its engagement in subversive activity.

In 2008, the U.S. Navy reactivated its Fourth Fleet stationed in Norfolk Virginia whose role is to prowl the waters of South America and the Caribbean.

Role of Curaçao, Brazil and Colombia in Militarization of the Caribbean

The islands that comprise the Dutch Antilles are located off the coast of Venezuela. Of these, Curaçao is the largest and most populated. They are neo-colonies, with The Netherlands controlling defence and foreign policy. The U.S. Department of State classifies them as the "Third Frontier America," and considers them an extension of U.S. SOUTHCOM. They are also linked to NATO due to The Netherlands' membership in the alliance.

The U.S. maintains an important strategic military base on Curaçao, which it uses to conduct espionage, reconnaissance and surveillance missions in the region. Described as a "Co-Operative Security Location" (formerly known as an FOL), it is located at the Hato International Airport -- also known as the Curaçao International Airport. It hosts an Airborne Warning and Control System and transport aircraft near the Royal Dutch Naval Air Station. The airport has the third longest commercial runway in the Caribbean region.

Examples of Curaçao's use include U.S. espionage flights from Curaçao over Venezuelan military bases. These began in 2005, exposing the ruse that the FOL is part of interdicting drug trafficking. In 2006, the massive Dutch-led "Caribbean Lion" military exercise took place there, with the participation of the Canadian Forces.

In 2007, "Partnership of the Americas 2007" was launched -- a six-month naval mission throughout Latin America and the Caribbean of a special U.S. war task force.[2]

Most recently, the newly-appointed commander of SOUTHCOM, Admiral Craig Faller visited Curaçao from February 13 to 14, following discussions with the Joint Military Staff of Brazil in February.[3]

U.S. military aircraft at the U.S. forward operating location at the
International Airport on Curaçao in 2011.

The visit to Brazil is notable because in August 2018, then-U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis chose Brazil as the initial destination for his first tour of South America. Among the topics on his agenda was U.S. participation in the Alcântara base, of strategic value due to its proximity both to Venezuela and West Africa. Previous U.S. access to the base was reversed by the governments of Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva (2003-2011), and Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016), which was overthrown by a U.S.-led coup. A new base could only be activated from January 1, 2019 when the reactionary President Jair Bolsonaro took office.

The organization of a so-called "humanitarian hub" on the southern border of Venezuela was the topic of the meetings of SOUTHCOM commander Admiral Craig Faller with Brazilian generals on February 11-12. The U.S. and Brazilian generals designated two centres in Brazil as the centre of operations. Pacaraima is on the border and has a "regional airport." Scores of innocent Venezuelan refugees were beaten there last fall and the border was closed -- by Brazil. The second centre, Boa Vista, is 216 km south of Pacaraima and has an international airport. A major north-south toll highway, Troncal No 10, links Pacaraima and Guyana City (603 km) and then Caracas.

U.S. SOUTHCOM Commander Admiral Craig Faller (centre) meets with Brazilian military counterparts, February 12, 2019.

In related news, General Mark Stammer, commander of the U.S. Army of the South, arrived on February 4 in Bogotá, Colombia to meet with the military and police leadership and "review border issues." Army South is a component of SOUTHCOM established to conduct operations in Latin America. It is responsible for 31 states and 15 territories in Central and South America, and the Caribbean.[4]

British Military Activities in the Region

RFA Mounts Bay docked in Curaçao, February 5, 2019.

The British naval vessel RFA Mounts Bay, a giant Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship, spent New Year in Miami, embarking a U.S. coastguard helicopter for the first time. It then sailed south and docked in Caracas Baii on Curaçao, by January 21. The Royal Navy asserted it was working with the U.S. Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical squadron and its counter-narcotics boarding team, which comes under SOUTHCOM. The "war on drugs" is among other things a smokescreen precisely to legitimate the naval presence of the European states, who have enslaving colonial and neo-colonial interests in the Caribbean and Latin America, on a regular basis.

In addition to "its regular complement of soldiers who operate her mexeflote powered barges," Naval Today informs that "the Bay-class ship has a dedicated 20-strong team from 24 Commando Royal Engineers -- self-styled 'Commandos of the Caribbean' -- and a Wildcat helicopter flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron." These forces have the means to occupy and control the shoreline of any country, and use it to launch air and ground attacks against targets located in those countries, land their troops and support their advance.

In January and into February, British marines have been conducting jungle warfare training in Belize. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) characteristically described their deployment as "routine." Their arrival in mid-January coincided with Britain's ratcheting up of its anti-Venezuela campaign.

Initially, the marines were based at British Army Training Support Unit Belize, a permanent base adjacent to the country's international airport, that was to be mothballed in 2010, but in 2015 became active again. The marines are from 40 Commando's A Company, a highly trained unit that specializes in close combat and is "held at very high readiness by UK MoD for crisis response."

Photos show the marines carrying out battlefield drills, including casualty evacuation. Marines from 40 Commando were among the first British troops to land in Iraq during the 2003 invasion.

They are currently accompanied by sappers from the Royal Engineers' 59 Commando Squadron, who provide "close combat engineer support," as well as members of Condor Troop, a unit normally based in Scotland.

Britain's air force is also active in the region. Flight data shows an RAF transport aircraft from Brize Norton landed in Belize after dark on January 23. On February 2, the RAF released aerial photos of the Belize coastline, saying that its personnel were supporting "army exercises in Central America."

Belize itself is part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which is staunchly opposed to foreign interference in Venezuela.

Thus it appears a collective siege is underway, conducted by NATO allies of the U.S., The Netherlands, Britain and also France -- which has bases in French Guyana -- all looking for seats at the table from the imperialist redivision of Venezuela and the Americas. Experts consulted by Prensa Latina, in addition to highlighting the dangerousness of these movements, point out that in the first place they are aimed at intimidating the Venezuelan leadership, but if this objective is not achieved, they could be used in direct incursions against that South American nation.

In fact, such forces would not have to go much closer to the Venezuelan territory to develop attacks with their aerial means and missiles, because they are in a position to do so from relatively large distances, experts point out.

Notes

1. U.S. Southern Command's "Masterstroke" Plan

The plan states the U.S. aim of "continuing setting fire to the common frontier with Colombia. Multiplying the traffic of fuel and other goods. The movement of paramilitaries, armed raids and drug trafficking. Provoked armed incidents with the Venezuelan frontier security forces." The plan includes recruiting "paramilitaries mainly in the campsites of refugees in Cúcuta, La Guajira and the north of Santander, areas largely populated by Colombian citizens who emigrated to Venezuela and now return, run away from the regimen to intensify the destabilizing activities in the common frontier between both countries. Making use of the empty space left by the FARC, the belligerency of the EBN and the activities in the area of the Gulf cartel." It goes on to its conclusion, which is "to prepare the involvement of allied forces in support the Venezuelan army officers or to control the internal crisis in the event they delay too much in taking the initiative. Establishing a speedy time line that prevents the Dictator to continue winning control on the international scenario. If it is necessary, act before the elections stipulated for next April."

While this once secret plan was envisioned around last year's Venezuelan presidential election, it has been repurposed to achieve the present desperate attempt to takeover Venezuela.

2. In 2013, Helmin Wiels, the Afro-Curaçaoan leader of the Pueblo Soberano (Sovereign People) party was assassinated. Wiels demanded total independence, an end to legalized corruption, the closure of the U.S. military base and that the island not be used against Venezuela.

3. The Brazilian generals in charge of "humanitarian aid" for Venezuela have the blood of the Haitian people on their hands. The Brazilian general who is now the Defence Minister for Jair Bolsonaro, retired army general, Fernando Azevedo e Silva was Operations Chief of the UN Mission for the (de)Stabilization of Haiti (MINUSTAH) -- the UN so-called peacekeeping force -- under the command of General Augusto Heleno Ribeiro Pereira, also now retired, in 2004 to 2005.

Last autumn, Bolsonaro also named Heleno as the head of the presidential office for national security. He is described as "the real power behind" the former army captain and extremist congressman Bolsonaro, who formally assumed the presidency on January 1, 2019.

Statements from MINUSTAH to the public about the massacre (which have disappeared with its after-action report to the U.S. Embassy) described a firefight that "lasted over seven hours during which time their forces expended over 22,000 rounds of ammunition," and an operation that involved 1,440 troops: 1,000 who "secured the perimeter" and 440 who engaged in a raid.

4. All the countries that militarily occupied Haiti through MINUSTAH are today organized as the extra-legal Lima Group formed by Canada in 2017, who sanction and prettify military intervention in Venezuela as humanitarian engagement.

They included Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru and the United States. This United Nations "peacekeeping" force occupied the country after the U.S., Canada and France orchestrated the violent overthrow of Haiti's elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and sent in U.S. Marines in 2004 along with troops from the Royal Canadian Regiment.

(With files from Tony Seed's Blog, U.S. Navy press releases, Maritime Herald, Naval Today, Prensa Latina, news agencies.)

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This article was published in

Volume 49 Number 6 - February 23, 2019

Article Link:
Military Deployments in Latin America and the Caribbean: Battle Group Made Ready to Attack

    

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