Venezuela's Chavez welcomes Russian warships

Russian warships are closing in on Venezuela's coast in what's supposed to be a show of strength and a message of caution for the United States.But U.S. officials don't seem very impressed. A State Department spokesman even wonders aloud if the Russian fleet is accompanied by tugboats. Russia and Venezuela are coordinating some naval exercises together, coinciding with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Caracas -- the first ever by a Russian president. The two energy-rich countries are being hindered by the rapid fall in energy prices at a time when both are trying to beef up their stature around Latin America and the rest of the world.