Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has arrived in Russia, where he will meet his counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for talks on military co-operation. Mr Chavez is expected to visit a helicopter factory and discuss the possible purchase of diesel submarines. | Still talking about the subs, is he? |
President Chavez has a very clear idea of what he wants to achieve. At home, he is working to set up a
The US sees Venezuela as a destabilising force in the region, and Mr Chavez knows that if he wants to stand up against the US he needs allies outside of Latin America. Mr Chavez has chosen his allies carefully
Experts say Mr Chavez is seeking a tie-up with the Russian gas giant
In Russia, Mr Chavez has found a partner that has no problem disregarding Washington's worries and selling him weapons. Venezuela has bought fighter planes, helicopters and assault rifles from Russia, and could now buy between five and nine diesel submarines. This would make Venezuela the country with the biggest
| Because when you think advanced oil extraction technology, you think Lukoil. |
But perhaps the symbolism of what follows Mr Chavez's visit is what matters most. After leaving Russia, he will travel to Belarus and Iran. At the same time, President Putin will be meeting George W Bush in the US. Mr Chavez's visit to Russia and then Iran is unlikely to go unnoticed.