President Hugo Chavez stated Sunday that Venezuela has acquired Russian-made surface-to-air missiles and announced the creation of an elite military unit trained to use the new weapons.
Chavez said the missiles are for self-defense and denied that Venezuela poses a military threat to other countries.
"We don't want wars with anyone, but we're obligated to equip ourselves and have a military that is increasingly dedicated to the country," Chavez said at a military parade in Caracas.
The self-guided, portable missiles weighing about 42 pounds reach approximately 19,500 feet, Venezuela's state-run ABN news agency reported.
"They have great power in the mountains, hills or coasts to stop any attempted aerial aggression against our country," Chavez said. "One man or woman can operate and carry it."
He did not say how many missiles were purchased or how much they cost.
Venezuela has purchased over $4 billion in Russian arms in recent years, including 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles, helicopters and Sukhoi fighter jets, and negotiations are furthermore under way for the purchase of Russian-made T-72 battle tanks and armored reconnaissance vehicles.
Chavez recently hailed U.S. President Barack Obama's offer to build relations with Caracas and Havana on an equal basis as a "great victory."
During last week's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, Obama said that he was seeking an "equal partnership" between the U.S. and Latin American and Caribbean countries.
"Our vision of the principles of dignity, sovereignty and independence during the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago received great support and became one of the greatest victories in our history," Chavez stated Sunday, during celebrations of the 190-year anniversary of Venezuela's independence from Spain.
"It seems that reformations that began in Venezuela at the end of the twentieth century have finally reached the U.S.," he said after taking part in a play depicting Venezuela's April 19, 1810 declaration of independence from Spain. Chavez performed his role donning the country's newly introduced commander-in-chief military uniform.
Chavez has traditionally had tense relations with Washington. However, the United States remains the biggest importer of Venezuelan oil, the Latin American state's most important export.
An ally of a prominent adversary of Chavez says the opposition leader will seek political asylum abroad.
Opposition leader Manuel Rosales stepped down as Maracaibo mayor and went into hiding this month after a corruption case against him was resurrected.
Omar Barboza, who leads Rosales' party, said Rosales would not appear in court Monday to face corruption accusations.
Barboza says the trial would be unfair and that the court is being used for "political persecution."
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