Venezuela to host Russia navy drill

Several Russian ships and 1,000 soldiers will take part in joint naval maneuvers with Venezuela in the Caribbean Sea later this year, exercises likely to increase diplomatic tensions with Washington, a pro-government newspaper reported on Saturday.

Venezuela's naval intelligence director, Salbarore Cammarata said four Russian boats would visit Venezuelan waters from Nov 10 to 14.

Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heightened diplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscow and the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plans for a US missile defense system in the Czech Republic and Poland.