Venezuela

We begin a new year and a new semester with a new year of political issues going on but what better way to start off the first article then by talking about one of the more “controversial” leaders in the news today: President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez. In a speech made by Chavez to the National Assembly he told others of the United States’ refusal to issue an export license for Spain to sell 12 transport and maritime surveillance planes to Venezuela. Venezuela is currently the 5th largest exporter of oil however, last year they negotiated a deal to buy weapons and
military equipment not only from Spain but, Russia and Brazil as well.
Chavez is very paranoid towards the U.S. accusing Washington of working to kill him. In a his speech to the National Assembly he also referred to President Bush as “Mr. Danger.”
Spain currently has been reported as saying that they will sell the planes to Venezuela
using substitute technology. Venezuela also purchased Russian military attack and transport helicopters and 100,000 riffles. Chavez is looking into buying Brazilian military training planes. The US however, must authorize any military transactions involving U.S. made hardware to third parties. Currently it seems that Brazil and Russia will be able to sell the weapons however, the question comes to mind is why do they have such numerous amounts of weapons in the first place? Is Chavez scared that we will attack
Venezuela? Venezuela’s people are dealing with economic issues so why is Chavez spending money to buy weapons instead of using it to ease economic tensions? In
2000 Venezuela was 34 billion dollars in debt so why do they all of a sudden have
the money to spend on weapons?