Chavez: Venezuela mulls allowing air force to shoot down suspected drug planes

October 8th, 2009 Venezuela and Britain reaffirm anti-drug effortsCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez's government says it is reaffirming an agreement with Britain to work together to prevent drug trafficking. The state-run Bolivarian News Agency says an official of Britain's Foreign Office signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate with Venezuela on anti-drug operations.

September 13th, 2009 Venezuela gets $2.2B in credit for Russian armsCARACAS, Venezuela — Russia has opened a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase weapons including armored vehicles and surface-to-air missiles, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday. Venezuela is buying more arms because it feels threatened by Colombia's decision to give U.S.

September 11th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to get rockets from RussiaCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has signed military agreements with Russia and is soon expecting the arrival of some "little rockets." Chavez says the rockets reach up to 186 miles (300 kilometers) and are strictly for defense purposes. Chavez returned Friday from a world tour including a visit to Russia, where he met with President Dmitry Medvedev.

August 16th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to strengthen ties with alliesCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Venezuela's ties with nations like Russia and China have gained importance as the U.S. moves to expand its military presence in Latin America.

August 5th, 2009 Chavez: Venezuela to buy more tanksCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says his government plans to buy dozens of tanks because Venezuela feels threatened by pending deal to increase the U.S. military presence in Colombia.

July 24th, 2009 Venezuela upset by pending US-Colombia pactCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says Colombia should not underestimate Venezuela's concerns over the neighboring country's decision to forge stronger military ties with the United States. From Venezuela's point of view, Chavez said Thursday, it's like "opening your house for your neighbor's enemy." Colombian officials have said Venezuela should not be concerned by a pact being negotiated to let U.S.

July 21st, 2009 Venezuela: US drug report threatens relationsCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez's government criticized a U.S. congressional report on drug trafficking in Venezuela, saying Tuesday that relations cannot be normalized as long as Washington keeps passing judgment on the nation's internal affairs.

July 2nd, 2009 US ambassador returns to Venezuela after spatCARACAS, Venezuela — The U.S. ambassador to Venezuela has returned to his post — more than nine months after he was expelled by President Hugo Chavez.

June 28th, 2009 Chavez to US general: You're the threat, not usCARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez says a U.S. general shouldn't be raising concerns that Venezuela is buying arms, and the American commander is wrong to argue there isn't a "conventional military threat in the region." Chavez says the U.S.

June 3rd, 2009 Venezuela investigates anti-Chavez TV presidentCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan prosecutors said Tuesday that they're opening a new investigation into the president of a television station opposed to President Hugo Chavez. Prosecutors said in a statement that they're investigating Globovision president Guillermo Zuloaga for a suspected "environmental crime" related to stuffed wild animals found on his estate.

May 11th, 2009 Venezuela seizes 2 tons of cocaine, arrest 3CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan authorities have seized nearly two tons of cocaine and arrested three suspects in their largest drug bust in months, the country's top counter-drug official said Monday. Police and soldiers discovered 4,370 pounds (1,983 kilograms) of cocaine during a raid on a ranch in central Miranda state on Saturday, said National Anti-Drug Agency director Nestor Reverol.

May 4th, 2009 CARACAS - A Venezuelan military helicopter crashed near the country's border with Colombia killing 18 soldiers, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday. One general, 16 soldiers and one civilian died in the crash, Chavez said on Alo Presidente (Hello President), his weekly broadcast to the nation.

April 24th, 2009 Chavez foe goes into hiding after arrest warrantCARACAS, Venezuela — An opponent of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has gone into hiding after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Prosecutors allege that Eduardo Manuitt pocketed government funds a decade ago as governor of central Guarico state.

April 24th, 2009 Venezuela: Peru should arrest Chavez foeCARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela's government urged Peruvian authorities on Thursday to arrest a leading opponent of President Hugo Chavez who is seeking political asylum in Lima. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro's call for the arrest of Manuel Rosales came hours after Venezuela requested the opposition leader's arrest through Interpol.

January 25th, 2009 CARACAS - President Hugo Chavez has said that Venezuela and the US can revive their broken friendship if President Barack Obama 'opens his fist', EFE reported. In his column 'The Lines of Chavez' published Sunday, Chavez noted that Obama in his inaugural address expressed his willingness to 'extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist', a statement directed at world leaders.