Free Republic

WASHINGTON Russia is looking to expand its military presence and has its eye on Cuba and other Latin American countries. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia has come up with a list of countries where it’s considering opening military bases. They include Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Vietnam, according to Russia’s state-owned RIA Novosti news agency. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and first lady Rosario Murillo (center and right) walk with Russia's President Vladimir Putin (left) upon his arrival at the international airport in Managua, Nicaragua on July 11, 2014. Cesar Perez AP “The talks are under way,” Shoigu told reporters in...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Russia to pull its troops from Venezuela and said that “all options” were open to make that happen.

President Trump told Russia on Wednesday it needs to stop meddling in Venezuela, as top members of his administration met with Fabiana Rosales, the woman that U.S. officials recognize as first lady. “We are with you 100 percent,” Mr. Trump told her. “Russia needs to get out.” Mr. Trump was referring to reports that Russia brought material and personnel to Venezuela, as other nations try to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The South American strongman considers Russia an ally. The U.S. and 50 other nations recognize Juan Guaido, who invoked constitutional powers to declare himself the interim president, as Venezuela’s rightful...

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega may appear too insignificant to create U.S. security risks from his tiny, impoverished nation. But the leftist's growing alliance with Tehran tells another story. Ortega is the same Marxist Sandinista leader that Ronald Reagan in 1989 dubbed "the unwanted animal at the garden party... Ortega had shot his way to power, forged an alliance with Cuba and ignited a long civil war. He was surprised when Nicaraguan voters unceremoniously threw him out in 1990. Since then, Ortega has changed his tune...He now calls himself a social democrat, and he lowered his anti-American rhetoric to win a...