US asks Seoul not to sale weapons to Caracas

The United States requested South Korea to ban domestic companies manufacturing weapons from selling war material to Venezuela, sources in the sector said, as quoted by South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Sources with the Seoul Government and South Korean companies in the sector said the Washington made this petition recently through diplomatic channels.

Both the South Korean Ministry of Defense and weapon manufacturers opposed such a request, as it could disturb their planned exports to Caracas.

According to Yonhap, South Korean companies were negotiating with Venezuela sales of telecommunication equipment, mortars, warplanes, boats and other military material, Efe reported.

South Korea is expected to clarify whether Washington's petition only comprises weapons carrying US parts, the sources added.

Last May, Washington imposed an arms embargo on Venezuela, and accused President Hugo Chávez' Government of failing to cooperate with the US war on terror.

Venezuela failed to complete negotiations with Spain and Brazil because of the US veto, as the equipment involved in such deals comprised US parts.