Gas pipelines are Russia’s latest push into Latin America

Russian state gas giant Gazprom is in talks to build a system of gas pipelines in Bolivia, President Dmitry Medvedev said Monday, in the latest Kremlin push to boost its influence in South America.

Medvedev announced the plan after talks in the Kremlin with Bolivian President Evo Morales, whose visit to Moscow comes soon after similar trips by fellow leftist leaders Raul Castro of Cuba and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.
“We spoke about Russia helping our friends in Bolivia with hydrocarbons and the construction of a gas transport system,” Medvedev said after the meeting.

“A memorandum was signed with Gazprom, whose cooperation is moving into the practical sphere,” he said, adding that work on the “strategic project” would run to 2030. He did not elaborate.

Medvedev said Russian efforts to boost ties with South America were not aimed at countering the United States, traditionally the dominant power in the region.

USA Today