Latin American Summary, August 20, 2022.
Since Monday, August 15, Venezuela hosts the “Sniper Border” events of the 2022 International Military Games, an exercise organized since 2015 by Russia and in which China, Iran, Myanmar, Belarus, Abkhazia, Uzbekistan, Bolivia, India, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Indonesia and Cuba.
The inaugural ceremony, part of which was broadcast live on Venezuelan public television, unfolded with great fanfare with parades, songs and speeches at Fort Terepaima in Barquisimeto (northwest).
This is the first time that Venezuela, which maintains close relations with Russia, has hosted these annual games that bring together around thirty countries, including Abkhazia, recognized by a handful of countries close to Moscow.
Venezuela, which is subject to economic sanctions in particular from Washington, which does not recognize the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro, has also moved closer to Iran and China in recent years.
“The objective, the spirit of these games is to unite cultures and peoples more than to demonstrate military skills,” said Venezuelan Defense Minister General Vladimir Padrino López.
According to his ministry, a delegation of 200 Venezuelan military personnel has also been sent to Russia to participate in other events of these games.