Venezuela says US Fleet IV threatens peace in the Caribbean

The United States decision to reactivate the Fourth Fleet is a threat to the Caribbean and to peace in the region, Venezuela said as it 'ratified its sovereign right' to strengthen defensive measures, Cuba's state-owned Granma reported today. Two days after Venezuela launched test missiles from the Caribbean Venezuela-owned island of La Orchila, Venezuelan Defense Minister Gustavo Rangel said the country has a right to defend itself. The missile was launched from a Sukhoi Russian-made fighter jet. A battle jet from the US military base in Curacao recently flew over La Orchila, provoking a protest by Venezuela and subsequent apology from the United States. Asked for his opinion on the US military base, Rangel said he respects the sovereign decisions of Washington and Curacao, but added that Venezuela is also sovereign and considering the location of the airspace violation, will take the necessary measures. The Venezuelan Defense Minister qualified the US military base as a threat to peace in the Caribbean region and confirmed that his country will continue to prepare to defend itself.