MOSCOW, November 25 (RIA Novosti) - A task force from Russia's Northern Fleet led by the Pyotr Veliky missile cruiser arrived in Venezuela as part of a planned visit which will see the ships take part in joint naval drills, a naval spokesman said. (VIDEO)

"On December 1 following the visit, the Russian warships will take part in joint naval exercises with the Venezuelan Navy," Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said.

Dygalo said the exercises will take place in the Caribbean Sea and will involve joint maneuvers, inspections, rescue and resupply operations. The drills are due to be discussed by both sides during the Russian Navy's visit to the Venezuelan port of La Guaira.

The task force left its Northern Fleet base, which includes supports ships and the large anti-submarine vessel the Admiral Chabanenko, on September 22 and has visited ports in Libya, Turkey and France.

Following the Latin American visit the task force is due to take part in drills with ships from the Pacific Fleet in the Indian Ocean.