With Russian arms on the way, Hugo Chávez warns, "we're not Libya"

In August Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez announced that his country had negotiated a $4 billion arms deal with Russia, designed to "strengthen defense capabilities." With the first of the weapons systems soon to arrive, Chávez used the opportunity to to engage in a little saber rattling today.

"See for yourself what's going on in the world these days," he told supporters. "Nobody should think of coming here to apply the 'Libyan formula,' or whatever it's called. If they do so, it will be very costly," Chávez warned. Venezuela has purchased anti-aircraft systems, tanks and artillery pieces from Russia under a line of credit extended by the latter.

In one of the few statements by world leaders expressing regret for the toppling of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Chávez recently referred to him as a "murdered martyr." That story here: http://mexicogulfreporter.blogspot.com/2011/10/hugo-chavez-on-muammar-gaddafi-murdered.html.