Chavez sends tanks to Colombia border in dispute

[BenRoethig]

These are Su-30s, right?

30MKV to be exact.

[Silent Hunter]

What's the best Colombian aircraft?

[Herodotus]

And they happen to be next to Panama.

Not only is Columbia a US ally and strategically located but this is the US's backyard we're talking about. Ever since the Monroe Doctrine the US has had an interest in keeping Latin America stable, and as free of foreign influences as possible. Except for FARC/Shining Path or other communist insurgencies there haven't been any interstate wars in Latin America in the past 20 years. Why? Because the US simply will not allow it; instability in that region, in the form of a war, especially if it spills over into the Caribbean or Central America causes real concerns for US security.

Personally I think Chavez is bluffing, or he's testing US commitment to the region in general and Columbia in particular; trying to set himself up as a hedge to US power there. If I were Bush I would make it clear to Chavez that he needs to back down as quickly as possible.

[S2]

Herodotus Reply

Less said the better.

It should be clear enough to most that counter-narcotics and COIN trainers are likely making heavy use of our special forces. They well know how to direct air strikes. We likely can launch from the states (w/tanker support) and RTB.

We don't need or want to do a thing. Let them make the moves.

It's less than a calculated bluff. It's bluster. Nothing but. Left to their own devices, this thing fades from print in days, if not hours. Chavez couldn't do so.

[Equilibrium]

What's the best Colombian aircraft?

The Colombian Air Force's best fighter are the 20-25X Mirage and its Israeli Kfir variant. They are at a serious disadvantage vis a vis the F-16's, Su 30 and Mirage III and F-5 aircraft.

Venezuela has always held its air force as a priority for modernization and purchases over the rest of its branches the vast majority of the time since before Chavez.

[BenRoethig]

The Colombian Air Force's best fighter are the 20-25X Mirage and its Israeli Kfir variant. They are at a serious disadvantage vis a vis the F-16's, Su 30 and Mirage III and F-5 aircraft.

Venezuela has always held its air force as a priority for modernization and purchases over the rest of its branches the vast majority of the time since before Chavez.

Not to mention since Venezuela and his cronnies in Ecuador have the exact same times they can run some pretty realistic DACT drills in preparation.