Venezuela To Reinforce
Troops On Colombia Border With Russian Tanks
CARACAS - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
has announced plans for the deployment of
new Russian-made tanks and combat
helicopters on the border with Colombia.
Ties between Venezuela and Colombia
deteriorated last August after Washington
signed a deal with Bogota allowing U.S.
forces to run anti-drug operations from
Colombian bases. Chavez has criticized the
deal and called for the Venezuelan people
and army to prepare for a war.
"We are expecting the arrival of the first
shipment of tanks [from Russia] which will
be sent to Barracas [in the state of
Barinas] to reinforce a motorized infantry
brigade," Chavez said in his weekly TV
program, Alo Presidente, on Sunday.
"In addition, attack helicopters arriving
from Russia will be deployed along the
Colombian border," he said.
Chavez secured a us$2.2 billion loan from
Russia during his visit to Moscow last
September for the purchase of 92 T-72 main
battle tanks, an undisclosed number of
Smerch multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS),
and a variety of air defense systems,
including the advanced S-300 complexes.
Between 2005 and 2007, Moscow and Caracas
signed 12 contracts worth more than us$ 4.4
billion to supply arms to Venezuela,
including fighter jets, helicopters and
Kalashnikov assault rifles.
Venezuelan military already has nearly 200
tanks, according to the London-based
International Institute for Strategic
Studies, while Colombia has no tank units. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
