The USA has recreated the 4th Naval Fleet for Latin America, which had been discontinued in 1950. US Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel met Brazilian senators in Brasilia early this Wednesday (9) to try to explain the reasons for the fleet comeback.
A number of Brazilian political leaders, especially senate members, are expressing their concern and showing their reaction to the recreation of the Fourth Fleet, as they view it as an act of aggression. The 4th US Fleet was first created during World War II because of the nazi threat in the region.
Aircraft-carriers USS George Washington and nuclear-powered USS George H.W. Bush will be deployed as part of the fleet.
"I consider the recreation of the Fourth USS Naval Fleet a gesture comparable to those of war. It is an aggression to Latin America. It's quite strange to me that such a decision comes at a time of political calm in Latin America and low approval of the US federal administration which is coming to a close now", said Sen. Joao Pedro (Workers'Party-Amazon) to the press soon after the senate meeting.
Ambassador Sobel was asked by the senators attending the meeting to convey the Brazilian concern to both presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.
The Brazilian press has echoed the ambassador's meeting with Brazilian senators.
The Latin America Fleet will reportedly be based in Florida.
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