Some Latin American nations are wondering if the return of the U.S. Navy’s Fourth Fleet to their coastlines signals the return of “gunboat diplomacy” as well, Agence France-Presse reports.
Representatives of Argentine president Cristina Kirchner have raised the question with visiting U.S. officials during a recent economic summit.
The fleet, which dates from World War II, was reactivated on July 1 after being mothballed for 58 years.
The Navy maintains the fleet is not equipped for offensive maneuvers: It would be used only for humanitarian assistance and preventing drug traffic, and will respect national sovereignty.
However, left-leaning governments in Bolivia, Venezuela and Cuba believe the United States is using the fleet to flex its military muscle and for surveillance and intelligence operations.
–T.J. Johnston/Newsdesk.org
Source:
“Worries over U.S. fleet to dominate talks in Buenos Aires”
Agence France-Presse, July 10, 2008
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