Russian leader embarks on defiant Latin America tour

[Zorro]

Source: AFP

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday embarked on a four-nation Latin American tour seen as sending a defiant message to the United States at the close of the George W. Bush presidency.

The tour, including talks with the outgoing US leader, naval exercises off Venezuela and a visit to arch US foe Cuba, has evoked fears of renewed Cold War-style rivalry in Latin America, while attracting some ridicule from sceptics.

"The current level of cooperation could be broader than in the Soviet era. Latin America has already ceased to be the United States' backyard," a Russian diplomatic source told the Russian daily Kommersant.

"Now the region is following its own line, which gives Russia an opportunity to strengthen our position," said the official.

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