Chavez says Venezuela will continue arms deal with Spain

Venezuela will push ahead an arms deal to buy military transport planes and patrol boats from Spain despite Washington's efforts to block it, President Hugo Chavez said Wednesday.

In a televised speech, Chavez said Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono will sign contracts with his country next Monday, although the United States has "done everything possible" to block the 2-billion-dollar (1.7-billion-euro) deal.

Venezuela will only use the Spanish boats and planes against drug traffickers in the South American country, he added.

The deal, announced by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero during a visit to Venezuela in March, comprises eight patrol boats and 10 military transport planes.

Earlier in the day, US Ambassador to Spain Eduardo Aguirre said Washington was still considering whether it would impede the deal as the planes carry US technology.

Venezuela and the United States have been at odds since Chavez took office six years ago.

Caracas criticized Washington for supporting an abortive coup aimed at overthrowing the Chavez government in April 2002. Chavez also said the United States had plans to invade Venezuela and assassinate him, but Washington denied the accusations.

There have been growing tensions between the two countries in recent months partly due to the US criticism of Venezuela's purchase of military equipment including 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles from Russia.

Source: Xinhua