Venezuela, like U.S., to hold military exercises in the Caribbean

Venezuela plans to hold military exercises soon along its coasts and with neighboring countries’ armed forces, the defense minister said Wednesday, while U.S. warships were conducting their own maneuvers in the Caribbean.

Adm. Orlando Maniglia did not specify when Venezuelan troops would train with other countries, but said the Venezuelan military is planning its own naval and air exercises along the nation’s coast.

Maniglia made the remark when asked about the U.S. deployment of an aircraft carrier and other ships and planes to the Caribbean this month for joint exercises with various countries’ militaries. The training is to last through late May.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Tuesday called the U.S. exercises "a threat against us _ not just against Venezuela but also against Cuba." U.S. officials have denied it, saying they are holding standard naval training, partly focused on fighting drug trafficking.

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