Prometheus 6

Venezuela's arms deal upsets U.S.
Venezuela and Spain signed a joint weapons deal on Monday despite strong opposition from the United States. At a signing ceremony in Caracas, both countries criticized the United States.
BY PHIL GUNSON AND PABLO BACHELET

CARACAS - Spain and Venezuela joined forces in defying Washington on Monday, signing several agreements that allow President Hugo Chávez's leftist government to receive a substantial amount of Spanish military equipment.

The deal, worth about $2 billion, is the most valuable ever obtained by the Spanish defense industry. It includes 12 naval transport and reconnaissance aircraft and eight patrol vessels, and according to Spain's Defense Minister José Bono, will support 900 Spanish jobs over nine years.

Eduardo Aguirre, U.S. ambassador to Madrid, recently made explicit Washington's opposition to the deal, which he described as a possible ``destabilizing factor in the region.''

Aguirre said the United States might withhold permission for the transfer of U.S.-licensed components that are part of the deal. The Spanish aircraft use U.S. technology in their communications and radar equipment. The patrol vessels could also use U.S.-designed components, depending on how the Venezuelans choose to equip them, Spanish officials say.