Moscow - The Russian Air Force is considering temporarily basing long-range bombers on Cuba or in Venezuela, Interfax news agency quoted a senior officer as saying Saturday.

Cuba alone had four or five suitable bases, and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez had offered a base on La Orchila island, Major- General Anatoly Shikharev was quoted as saying.

"If the political will is there, we're ready," he added. The Russian leadership has, however, been speaking only of "theoretical" consideration of such a move.

President Dmitry Medvedev declared readiness for military cooperation with Cuba and Venezuela during his Latin America tour last year.

Late last year two Tu-160 bombers visited Venezuela at the invitation of Chavez. Moscow and Caracas both denied that this constituted a threat to the United States.

Russia has also recently sent warships on visits to Venezuela and Cuba - the latter its most important ally against the United States before the breakup of the Soviet Union 20 years ago.

Last summer the Moscow Defence Ministry denied that it planned basing bombers on Cuba after the US military spoke of Russia "crossing the red line" if such plans materialised. (dpa)