No plans for military bases in Latin America: Russia

Moscow: Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov said Sunday that Moscow has no plans to establish military bases in Latin America, although it is studying the possibility of creating "resupply and technical support points" in some countries of the region.

"With some states, we are studying the possibility of setting up resupply and technical support points. I want to emphasise that in no case is creating bases being discussed," said Antonov in an interview with Russia`s Interfax news agency, which Efe cited.

These matters, he added, were dealt with during Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu`s visit to Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba last week.

Antonov said that the aim of the installations in Latin America would be to provide support for Russian vessels on long-distance missions in terms of repairs and resupply.

He said that Shoigu`s three-day trip to the three leftist Latin American nations was not out of the ordinary and had not been scheduled as a result of the international situation.

"I want to emphasise that those visits were (previously) scheduled... They are not the result of the European and US sanctions," said the deputy minister, alluding to the restrictions imposed by the West on Russia for its stance and alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

He added that Russia`s interest in Latin America was not new and was part of its policy of strengthening regional security and helping countries there improve their armed forces.