An analysis by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Governance indicated that the greatest beneficiary of the United States (US) military deployment in the Caribbean, which threatens the sovereignty of Venezuela, is the US war industry.
RT reports that many of the systems deployed in the Caribbean are very expensive and explained that each Arleigh Burke-class destroyer costs about $2.5 billion just to acquire. Meanwhile, the AC-130J Ghostrider attack aircraft costs 165 million per unit; the P-8 Poseidon, about 83 million; and the LCAC hovercraft, with which some of the ships are equipped, approximately 90 million per unit.
Likewise, the aforementioned analysis indicates that military contractors profit from maintenance and services while the vessels are at sea. All this represents an expense of at least 70% of the total cost.
New companies, new contracts, new businesses
Since the US military deployment in the Caribbean began, many companies are benefiting from what appears to be a deal, such is the case of General Atomics, which received a $14.1 billion contract to support the acquisition and sustainment of its MQ-9 Reaper drone systems in mid-September, shortly after the US aggression against Venezuela began.
For his part, the journalist and co-founder of the Security Policy Reform Institute (USA), Stephen Semler, considered that those who will benefit the most from this situation are: Lockheed Martin, Boeing and RTX.
In that sense, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the F-35 fighter jet and manufactures the Aegis combat systems for warships. This company alone received a $3.1 billion contract last summer.
Additionally, Lockheed Martin invested $50 million in Saildrone, unmanned surface vehicles, which have been operating since February in the Caribbean for anti-drug surveillance.
For its part, RTX benefits through Tomahawk missiles, which with the arrival in the Caribbean of the SS Gerald R. Ford, the number of missiles installed on ships could reach around 185. The Pentagon acquired each one for around $1.3 million, while the US Navy is asking for more.
Against this background, Semler stressed that “beyond the direct beneficiaries, the entire arms industry will benefit from the military increase and the prospect of a war (…) Lobbying efforts will be structured around the possibility of a war with Venezuela, with the combined effect of increasing the Pentagon budget and, therefore, favoring all military contractors.”
However, in the face of the persistent threat, the psychological and media war, President Maduro has reiterated the message of peace, sovereignty and respect for the people. Understanding that an armed conflict will not only affect Venezuela, but also the entire region.
