Chavez Buys Russian War Jets
Venezuela continues its military build-up with 24 made in Russia Sukhoi (Su-30) jets, brand new. The Russian toys come with a 700 million dollar bill.
Profits are going to Russia, to State Corporation Rosoboroneksport to be more specific.
The cost per Venezuelan citizen is of 28 dollars. If we add other recent deals like building of a local Kalashnikov factory and the buying of a Russian Helicopter fleet and a couple of Spanish patrol ships, the bill gets to 3.7 billion, increasing the cost per citizen to 146 dollars. This is excluding operating and maintenance costs.
Venezuela has a minimum wage of 150 dollars.
President Chavez is not only investing heavily in weapons, he also wants the world to know it. He wastes no oportunity to set photo ops and his new pet project is no other than a massive military parade on Venezuela’s Independence Day, July the fith. Doesn't that sound familiar?
posted by Camilo Pino @ 6/16/2006
5 comments
5 Comments:
So what?
:<>:
These are defensive weapons.
This is nothing compared with the US.
At the end of the day it's symbolic stuff.
Nobody would use this to invade a country.
The real danger is America.
:{Romina}:
Camilo,
http://feathersblog.blogspot.com/2006/06/heil-chavez-dementia-of-hugo-chavez.html
Not just the shopping list, but the things he fantasized to do with them.
I know people are pretty upset about the Iraq war, and I am too.
However, that does not mean the US invades other countries as soom sort of general policy. Every US military move has direct cause behind it.
On the other hand, if a country that has not been in a war in some time decides to start stockpiling weapons, that is a cause for concern.
Chavez has good reason to keep the military up to protect against drug smugglers and such, but there is no threat to Venezuela from anyone in the world.
His buying of weapons provokes his neighbors, and costs Venezuela in more important areas, such as eradicating poverty.
-Mike
Not like they would be much of a match, but maybe he is arming himself in case of a US invasion.
I don't have a problem with Chavez arming the country.. if he starts lining up on a border of another country, well that's not cool.
But, as you put it in reference to poverty, there are definitely better places for that money to be spent.
Venezuela has a right to defend itself.
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