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United States Advises Venezuela Not to Spend Money on Russian MiGs
December 2, United States criticizes Venezuela’s plans to buy Russian MiG-29 fighter jets to replace its U.S.-made F-16 jets, Reuters reports.
Venezuela, which is enjoying a windfall from high world oil prices, plans to buy large amounts of arms from Russia, leftist President Hugo Chavez said after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week. Chavez did not mention warplanes, but Venezuela is evaluating MiG-29s as possible replacements for its F-16s.
However, according to a Bush administration official, who asked to remain anonymous, "It should be an issue of concern to the Venezuelan people. Millions of dollars are going to be spent on Russian weapons for ill-defined purposes." Pressed further, he added: "Let me put it this way: We shoot down MiGs."
A White House National Security Council spokesman later sought to clarify the official's remarks. "It's clearly an issue that we would monitor," Sean McCormack said. "He didn't mean to imply anything more or less.”
The Financial Times believes the criticism of Venezuelan-Russian cooperation is the reflection of U.S. hostile attitude towards the Chavez government. By end of November, the press started reporting that the United States knew of the conspiracy aimed at Chavez overthrow in 2002, but it did not warn the Venezuelan president.
The United States thinks Venezuela is a country, which threatens stability in Latin America. At the same time, the White House supports the Columbian government, which has also expressed concerns over the possible deal between Venezuela and Russia.
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