Venezuela's massive military build-up

theage.com.au ^ | February 25, 2007 | Simon Romero

[Tailgunner Joe]

VENEZUELA'S arms spending has climbed to more than $US4 billion ($A5.05 billion) over the past two years, transforming the nation into Latin America's largest weapons buyer and placing it ahead of other major purchasers in international arms markets such as Pakistan and Iran.

Venezuelan military and government officials say the arms acquisitions, which include dozens of fighter jets and attack helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles, are needed to circumvent a ban by the United States on sales of American weapons to the country.

They also argue that Venezuela must strengthen its defences to counter potential military aggression from the United States.

"The United States has tried to paralyse our air power," General Alberto Muller Rojas, a member of President Hugo Chavez's general staff, said in an interview, citing a recent effort by the US to prevent Venezuela from acquiring replacement parts for American F-16s bought in the 1980s.

This retooling of Venezuela's military strategy, which includes creating a large civilian reserve force and military assistance to regional allies including Bolivia, has been part of a steadily deteriorating political relationship with the United States.

The Bush Administration has repeatedly denied that it has any plans to attack Venezuela, one of the largest sources of imported oil in the United States.

But distrust of such statements persists in Venezuela after the Administration tacitly supported a coup that briefly removed Mr Chavez from office in 2002.

Venezuela's escalation of arms spending, up 12.5 per cent in 2006, has brought harsh criticism from the Bush Administration, which says the increase is a potentially destabilising problem in South America and is far more than what would be needed for domestic defence alone.

Venezuela's neighbours are concerned that its arms purchases could upset regional power balances or lead to a new illicit trade in arms across Venezuela's porous borders.

Since 2005, Venezuela has signed contracts with Russia for 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, 50 transport and attack helicopters, and 100,000 assault rifles.

[non-anonymous]

I just hope they don't discover our dastardly plan to subvert the vegetableness of their tomatoes (we made them 10% fruitier).

[xcamel]

Buying the weapons of his own mass-destruction it would seem.

[EagleUSA]

The Bush Administration has repeatedly denied that it has any plans to attack Venezuela, one of the largest sources of imported oil in the United States.
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And this is a situation that should not be -- but Washington will not stand up, exert a powerful energy policy and rid ourselves of the dependence on every third world thug dictator's oil. It is a sickening and frustrating situation where politics and globalist agendas are smothering America and keeping us from doing what needs to be done to be rid of this perverse dependency.

[manapua]

The big idiot has his eyes on Dutch, British, and Colombian territories.

[ChristianDefender]

Chavez is thinking about invading Dutch occupied territories that he claims as part of Venezuela... we should expect more of the build-up.

Im preparing my Popcorn menus and cold drinks.

[period end of story]

When Fidel finally dies, he may inherit Cuba.

[spikeytx86]

Would that be Aruba?

[dforest]

Geez, Venezuela would be a piece of cake.

[elhombrelibre]

All of this spending is a foolish waste of money. The people of Venezuela would be better off if Chavez spent the money on frijoles. In an unlikely war with the US, most those weapons would be about as helpful as another target for US missiles, except for the AK's.

[Army Air Corps]

Venezuela and Latin American Left pingaroo.

[ChristianDefender]

Yup...

The problem is, considering the Dutch's geographical location it would be hard for them to defend or even retake the Islands if Venezuela will go on with the plan... They have recently deployed a bunch of troops though but it's not enough to contain a possibly huge invasion unless NATO joins with them.

Visit this site: www.strategypage.com

[JimSEA]

I'd guess he is about two years away from making his moves. Meanwhile, he has other countries elections to mess with.

[Dawnsblood]

Strategy page has looked at Hugo's build-up here

And the Dutch angle here.

Interesting stuff.

[Zeroisanumber]

If Chavez wants to waste his money, let him. 10 years from now we'll all be buying cheap Venezuelan AK's.

[spikeytx86]

Thanks for the info!

I think NATO would be obligated since it is danish territory. But I doubt even the dutch would have the will to repel them let alone the Atlantic community.

[Tailgunner Joe]

I don't see why NATO wouldn't support them considering that the Dutch are helping NATO fight the Taliban in Afghanistan.

[Chode]

that's what these guys thought once too smart guy... and guess what???

you aren't as smart as THEY WERE!!!

[ExpatGator]

Maybe they'll find that Natalie girl when they start digging foxholes on the beach.

[ChristianDefender]

But I doubt even the dutch would have the will to repel them let alone the Atlantic community.

Perhaps. Because it is more likely they would fight Hugo in the table instead in the field.