Chavez beefing up military; Soaring arms spending surpasses that of Iran, Pakistan

Venezuela's arms spending has climbed to more than $4 billion (U.S.) over the past two years, transforming the nation into Latin America's largest weapons buyer and placing it ahead of other major purchasers in international arms markets like Pakistan and Iran.

Venezuelan military and government officials say the arms acquisitions – which include dozens of fighter jets and attack helicopters, and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles – are needed to circumvent a U.S. ban on sales of American weapons to the country.

They also argue that Venezuela must strengthen its defences to counter potential military aggression from the United States.

"The United States has tried to paralyze our air power," Gen. Alberto Muller Rojas, a member of President Hugo Chavez's general staff, said in an interview, citing a recent effort by the Bush administration to prevent Venezuela from acquiring replacement parts for American F-16s bought in the 1980s.

"We are feeling threatened and, like any sovereign nation, we are taking steps to strengthen our territorial defence."