On the eve of the Russian prime minister’s visit to Venezuela, the US has preemptively blasted any prospective arms deals between the two sovereign states.
Vladimir Putin is due to arrive in Caracas on Friday for extensive trade and political talks with left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Russian media earlier reported that among other topics, discussions will focus on a reputed $2.2 billion loan from Moscow to Caracas for the purchase of Russian arms.
Venezuela is said to be interested in purchasing a range of Russian weapons, including 92 T-72 main battle tanks and an unspecified number of Smerch multiple rocket launchers, reported Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency.
The prospect of such trade in Venezuela, which the US considers its “backyard”, under the “Monroe Doctrine”, has raised heckles in the US.
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