Russian Bombers Land In Venezuela for Drills

Now we know why Venezuela's Chavez says US ambassador must leave! The Russians were coming!

By Ian James and Vladimir Isachenkov
Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela, Sept. 10 -- Two Russian strategic bombers landed in Venezuela on Wednesday as part of military maneuvers, President Hugo Chávez said, welcoming the unprecedented deployment at a time of increasing tensions between Russia and the United States.

Russian military analysts said it was the first time Russian strategic bombers have landed in the Western Hemisphere since the Cold War. The deployment appeared likely to anger Washington and add to the strain in U.S.-Russian relations over Russia's war with Georgia.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the bombers, supersonic Tu-160s, flew to Venezuela on a training mission and would conduct flights over neutral waters in the next few days before returning home, according to a statement carried by Russian news wires.