April 9, 2005
Venezuela does not want arms race with Colombia

(Associated Press) - "Venezuela does not want to spur an arms race with Colombia, but President Hugo Chávez's government has every right to purchase the weapons it requires to modernize the nation's military, Venezuela's vice president said (.)

The commander of Colombia's armed forces, General Carlos Alberto Ospina, dismissed any rift with Venezuela. 'Every country is free to buy whatever weapons it considers necessary. It's their sovereign decision,' said Ospina (.)

Rangel said Chávez's government did not want the arms issue to harm relations with Colombia, which he labeled as 'excellent.'

The United States has been the strongest critic of Venezuela's purchase patrol boats and transport planes from Spain and rifles from Russia (.)

Venezuelan Information Minister Andrés Izarra said Venezuela preferred to emphasize positive signals from U.S. officials and wants 'fruitful working relations' with Washington, not 'verbal attacks' (.)".