Quoting Venezuela's naval intelligence director, SalbaroreCammarata, the newspaper Vea said four Russian boats wouldvisit Venezuelan waters from November 10 to 14.

Plans for the naval operations come at a time of heighteneddiplomatic tension and Cold War-style rhetoric between Moscowand the United States over the recent war in Georgia and plansfor a U.S. missile defence system in the Czech Republic andPoland.

Cammarata said it would be the first time Russia's navycarried out such exercises in Latin America. He said theVenezuelan air force would also take part.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an outspoken critic ofWashington, has said in recent weeks that Russian ships andplanes are welcome to visit the South American country.

"If the Russian long-distance planes that fly around theworld need to land at some Venezuelan landing strip, they arewelcome, we have no problems," he said on his weekly televisionshow last week.

Chavez, who buys billions of dollars of weapons fromRussia, has criticized this year's reactivation of the U.S.Navy's Fourth Fleet, which will patrol Latin America for thefirst time in over 50 years.

The socialist Chavez says he fears the United States willinvade oil-rich Venezuela and he supports Russia's growinggeopolitical presence as a counterbalance to U.S. power.

Chavez has bought fighter jets and submarines from Russiato retool Venezuela's aging weapons and says he is alsointerested in a missile defence system.

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