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Russia, Venezuela conduct joint naval drills in Caribbean

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A Russian naval task force from the Northern Fleet and the Venezuelan navy have successfully conducted the VenRus-2008 joint exercises in the southern Caribbean, a Russian Navy spokesman said on Tuesday.

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MOSCOW, December 2 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian naval task force from the Northern Fleet and the Venezuelan navy have successfully conducted the VenRus-2008 joint exercises in the southern Caribbean, a Russian Navy spokesman said on Tuesday.

"The active phase of the exercise was carried out according to a detailed plan, jointly developed by the Russian and Venezuelan navies," Capt 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said.

"The Russian and Venezuelan warships have practiced deployment in the southern Caribbean, coordinated tactical maneuvering, air defense, search, pursuit and detention of a ship suspected of illegal activities," the spokesman said.

The task force, led by the Pyotr Veliky nuclear-powered missile cruiser, is on a planned visit to Venezuela that follows a two-month tour of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, which saw Russian ships visiting Libya, Turkey and France.

The Russian naval group also included the Udaloy class destroyer Admiral Chabanenko and two support vessels with some 1,600 naval infantrymen on board.

Three frigates, a transport amphibious vessel, four patrol boats, four coastal defense vessels, several naval aviation units, and a Su-30MK2 fighter squadron took part in the exercise from the Venezuelan side.

"The Russian and Venezuelan crews showed a high degree of professionalism. All the tasks assigned by the commanding staff have been successfully accomplished," Dygalo said.

After its visit to Venezuela, the Russian task force is due to take part in an exercise with ships from Russia's Pacific Fleet in the Indian Ocean.

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