Months after the infamous “Why don’t you shut up?” incident Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez offered to hug Spain’s King Juan Carlos if they meet again. “I'd like to give the king a hug, but you know, Juan Carlos, that I am not going to shut up,” said Chavez yesterday in anticipation of his tour of Europe. Juan Carlos’ outburst against Chavez during a summit last November (image) turned into a worldwide phenomenon as songs and ringtones celebrated the King. Tensions between Venezuela and Spain have eased since then, however, and full diplomatic relations could soon be restored.
Chavez first stop on his trip will be in Moscow later today. His stop in Russia will be vital in that he will reportedly purchase Russian arms:
In an interview with Itar-Tass in Caracas…Chavez…said his country was planning to buy from Russia state-of-the-art tanks. He also expressed interest in supplies of Russian systems of air-to-air defense and means to strengthen the Venezuelan Navy.
Chavez said Russia had offered loans for the purchase of its military hardware and armaments.
Image- Typically Spanish
Sources- Reuters, Pravda, ITAR-TASS, BBC News, The Latin Americanist, Guardian UK
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