CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez says Venezuelans should prepare for a possible armed conflict with the United States and Colombia.
Chavez claims Colombian and U.S. soldiers may use Colombia’s military bases to spy on Venezuela – or launch an attack. He says Venezuela is buying arms from Russia because it feels threatened by Colombia’s decision to give U.S. troops greater access to seven of its military bases.
Russia has opened a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase weapons including surface-to-air missiles.
Chavez urged Venezuelans on Wednesday “to prepare for the defence of this land.”
He said Colombia and the United States could use the bases “to gather intelligence, counterintelligence and conspire against Venezuela.”
