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| Caribbean-Latin America |
| Chavez: Venezuela to Get SAM System |
| 2006-08-04 |
| Venezuela will install an advanced air-defense system with anti-aircraft missiles capable of shooting down approaching enemy warplanes, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Thursday. Chavez, who has repeatedly accused the United States of plotting to overthrow him, said the missiles would help defend the oil-rich country against any "aggression." "We're going to acquire the most modern anti-aircraft defense system," Chavez said during a televised speech in the coastal state of Falcon, where military planes and newly purchased Russian helicopters swooped overhead during a military parade. "We're going to armor Venezuela." He said the air defense system would protect Venezuela from its Caribbean coast to its Amazon border with Brazil. He suggested he saw components that Venezuela will buy in visits to Russia, Belarus and Iran over the past week. "The modern systems that we saw in Russia, Belarus and Tehran detect the target at 125 miles. They come with missiles that go direct, guided by the heat of the planes that come," Chavez said. "Venezuela will be armored to defend ourselves against any aggression." Flush with booming oil profits, Chavez has been spending heavily on Venezuela's military while warning the country must be prepared in case U.S. troops one day attempt an invasion. American officials dismiss the suggestions as preposterous, though President Bush has called Chavez a threat to democracy in the region. Chavez sealed a deal last week in Russia to buy 24 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets and 53 helicopters. Venezuelan Defense Minister Gen. Raul Baduel has said those new deals, plus the installation of factories to produce Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition, will cost about $3 billion. Anything to keep those brain eating bats away from el Supremo. |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #13 Actually, US SF is much closer than Hugo realizes and has been since '03 |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-08-04 20:34 |
| #12 Hugo, helpful hint make sure you tell the russkis you want SURFACE TO AIRCRAFT missles, not their standard SURFACE TO AIR missiles. |
| Posted by: bruce 2006-08-04 17:59 |
| #11 Sounds like Hugo is talking about shoulder fired SAMs. I don't think he has really figured out how high the US Air Force flies. P.S. Build the B-747 with a 100 ton bomb load. |
| Posted by: ed 2006-08-04 17:36 |
| #10 All those SAMs won't stop a Tomahawk, won't shoot down an F-117, and won't stop some angry peon from plunking your idiot head with an AK-47 YOU supplied him, or someone slipping poison in your food, hugo. They're just fun toys that dictators love because it makes them feel big, instead of the tiny little weasels they are. Even Paraguay can whip your wimpy little a$$. What a waste of protoplasm. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2006-08-04 15:29 |
| #9 Shorter Chavez: "We have always been at war with Oceania." |
| Posted by: eLarson 2006-08-04 14:15 |
| #8 He thinks heat-seeking AA missiles are "high tech and cutting edge" (especially from Russia, Belarus and Iran)? Pshaw. This could be easier than previously thought if we REALLY wanted to take him out. |
| Posted by: BA 2006-08-04 12:36 |
| #7 Using govt funds to buy useless military stuff rather than helping out consumers is going to come back to bite Chavez one of these days. |
| Posted by: mhw 2006-08-04 11:55 |
| #6 "We're going to armor Venezuela." About time! They've been the victim of so many attacks and invasions over the past 100 years. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-08-04 11:46 |
| #5 I saw his convoy, in Panama, about 6 or 7 weeks ago. There was one shitty looking helicopter flying over all the rooftops, checking for snipers, two tiny coast guard vessels patrolling the Pacific coast, and about a dozen or so police cars. The entire convoy got stuck in a traffic jam on Via Israel Ave, for like 2 minutes. There he was sitting in his limo, ripe for the plucking. I figured after the 2000 Castro assasination attempt, in Panama, he would have more security, but that didn't appear to be the case at all. If someone wants to kill this guy, I don't think it will be too difficult to get to him. |
| Posted by: Destro in Indiana 2006-08-04 11:04 |
| #4 Hey Hugo, ever heard of a HARM missle? |
| Posted by: texhooey 2006-08-04 10:45 |
| #3 I'll see your SAM system and raise you a B-2 and an F-117. |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-08-04 10:35 |
| #2 "Make him so paranoid, that he thinks Delta Force is under his bed at night."--tu Kinda makes one wish that his paranoid delusions will come true, i.e., that Delta's got a bead on this pig. |
| Posted by: Lancasters Over Dresden 2006-08-04 10:25 |
| #1 Flush with booming oil profits, Chavez has been spending heavily on Venezuela's military while warning the country must be prepared in case U.S. troops one day attempt an invasion. Make him spend every dime of those booming oil profits. Make him so paranoid, that he thinks Delta Force is under his bed at night. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2006-08-04 10:08 |