CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuela's navy is taking a close look at the American military presence on the nearby island of Curacao to determine the intention of U.S. operations there, Venezuela's navy commander said Monday.
Navy Cmdr. Armando Laguna said the Venezuelan navy was "taking precautions" as it observes the presence of U.S. Marines, along with military planes and amphibious vehicles on the Caribbean island. He did not provide details regarding what measures the navy was taking. | Cruising by looking at the Marines who are looking back making faces at them. |
Laguna told the state-run television channel the navy "detected a series of (military) units" on the island, located roughly 46 miles (75 kilometers) northeast of Venezuela's Paraguana Peninsula. | Getting a prickly feeling on the back of your neck, Hugo? Good. |
"We took precautions to determine what the intention is," said Laguna, adding that the U.S. Navy often carries out exercises in southern Caribbean but failed to notify Venezuela's military on this occasion.
There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. | Not that we'd tell State if we were up to anything |
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