"Russia, at our request, has responded, and today I say it and
repeat it more firmly and with more certainty: we are ready to buy
Russian fighter jets and keep them here so they can protect this
land," President Chavez told a military ceremony.
"They want our F-16s, little by little, to be grounded," he added, referring to the US government.
Cool relations
The United States has cooled its relations with oil-rich Venezuela since President Chavez came to power in 1999, after the leader brandished leftist rhetoric and made friendly overtures to both Iran and Cuba.
Besides refusing to sell Venezuela spare parts, Washington last
year forced Israel to cancel a contract to upgrade Venezuela's
F-16s.
Turning to Russia for help, President Chavez thanked his counterpart, Russian President Vladimir Putin for approving the sale of 33 military helicopters and 100,000 AK-47 assault rifles.
Army Commander Raul Baduel said Russia was expected to deliver 16 helicopters and 30,000 rifles this year.
“Crazy” decision
President Chavez also complained that a deal to buy training aircraft from Brazil had fallen through because the manufacturer "uses US technology and (the United States) forbade them from making airplanes for Venezuela."
"Its crazy. They're only training aircraft."
"This is simply the decision by people who think they own the world ... Well, we feel sorry for Brazil because it was good
business," President Chavez added.
The President has vowed that “nothing and nobody” will stop his country from making its armed forces stronger.