WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- Russia is displaying its military power in America 's back yard , sending a convoy of warships to Venezuela for joint naval exercises , the first such deployment since the Cold War . The Kremlin is becoming increasingly cozy with Venezuela , Cuba and other Latin American countries unhappy with the United States , in apparent response to thorny issues such as U.S. missile defense plans in Eastern Europe , NATO 's eastern expansion , and U.S. warships dispatched to Georgia . `` Some of this is the Russians wanting to get even . They see American warships close to their shore ; they 're going to put Russian warships close to us , '' said Russian military expert John Pike of globalsecurity.org . The fleet of ships headed toward the Caribbean includes some of Russia 's finest , like the nuclear-powered Peter the Great cruiser and the anti-submarine warship Admiral Chebanenko . Pike said that while these vessels are impressive , they are no match for the American Navy and pose little threat to the United States . `` They have obsolete technology . They would simply be no match for American warships in a one-to-one combat , '' he said . Nonetheless , this deployment adds to the tension created earlier this month when two Russian Tu-160 nuclear long-range bombers arrived in Venezuela , also for military exercises . Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , a vocal critic of the United States , greeted the Russian pilots with a blunt message for Washington . `` Venezuela is not alone ! Russia is with us , '' he said . `` They are our strategic partners . The Russian Tu-160 bombers on our land are a warning to the empire of the U.S.A. ! '' Chavez is increasing Venezuela 's ties with Russia . He arrived in Moscow on Thursday for his second trip there in the past two months . Russia , meanwhile , has sold Venezuela more than $ 4 billion in arms . U.S. Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell says the Pentagon is not fazed . `` Russia is certainly within its rights to conduct exercises with its allies . What 's the old saying ? You 're sort of known by the company you keep . If they wish to hang out with the Venezuelan navy , that 's their business , '' he said . But Russia knows the United States is watching , and that seems to be the idea , Pike said . `` The Russians , sort of from here on out , every couple months are going to come up with some sort of new event , some sort of new exercise , some sort of new provocation to keep us focused on them , '' he said .
Russian warships heading to Venezuela for joint naval exercises . Expert on Russian military : Move is response to U.S. actions in Europe . Russia increasing its ties with Latin American countries unhappy with the U.S. `` Some of this is the Russians wanting to get even , '' expert says .