After killings, Venezuela moves to secure border(New Russian Hind Gunships)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N13490470.htm

EL AMPARO DE APURE, Venezuela, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Venezuelan troops protecting the frontier will soon start patrolling in new Russian helicopters to help curb violent spillover from Colombia's war, but the arms purchase has raised concerns about tensions along the volatile border.

President Hugo Chavez announced an agreement to buy Russian attack and transport helicopters after Colombian rebels killed five Venezuelan soldiers and an oil engineer in a September ambush near this remote border post in south-west Apure state. snip

The September killings were the deadliest in recent frontier clashes with illegal armed groups fighting in Colombia's four-decade-long war. Seven soldiers were slain in two attacks a year ago and Venezuelan warplanes in January strafed a column of fighters who crossed the border.

Venezuelan army officials acknowledge they often struggle to keep armed Colombian groups from breaching the frontier, especially in remote regions such as Apure, where rough terrain, a lack of roads and scores of rivers hamper patrols.

Defense officials say the first Russian MIL MI-17 and MI-35 helicopters will come into service next year and some bases are already preparing ground for landing areas. Caracas is also sending new armored vehicles and new rifles.

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[okieinpain]

1. I see that they are building ties with iran also. so this will make

chavez a member of the triangle of terror right. so now he can be invaded also.

[progressiveBadger]

2. US openly invade a South American country?

That's what School of the Americas is for!

[NNN0LHI]

3. kick