VENEZUELA: Government denies claims that Iran is to build mid-range rocket base on it's territory

Record ID: 859931

  • Title: VENEZUELA: Government denies claims that Iran is to build mid-range rocket base on it's territory
  • Date: 19th May 2011
  • Summary: CARACAS, VENEZUELA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BEAUTY SHOTS OF CITY
  • Embargoed: 3rd June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
  • City:
  • Country: Venezuela
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA2R9BJTKMHDUMDKDMZ3530BMTA
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Venezuela categorically denied the existence of any foreign military bases within the South American country's borders on Wednesday (May 18).
    The German newspaper Die Welt said this week that Iran had purchased launch pads on the Paraguana Peninsula to build a mid-range rocket base.
    Iran, branded a state sponsor of terrorism by the United States, has expanded relations with Venezuela in recent years.
    "First of all we want to deny all claims that any foreign military bases have been installed [in Venezuela], something that is expressly prohibited by the constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We deny claims that there is a foreign military installation at Paraguana, no matter who is making those claims. Our national armed forces have been acquiring through the national Bolivarian government the necessary equipment to defend the country. This has been sufficiently expressed by President Hugo Chavez. We are going to put on display some of this equipment as it arrives [in the country]. The people will be able to see it. We don't have a policy to arm ourselves to launch aggressive attacks, [our policy] is to defend our extensive territories whether that be maritime, land or in the air. This is necessary to guarantee peace in the republic and to continue the construction of a socialist society that we are obliged to construct in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the Venezuelan people," Venezuela Vice President, Elias Jaua, said.
    In a separate case, Washington is currently investigating whether Venezuela broke sanctions and exported gasoline to Iran, with a congressional committee due to hold hearings in May.
    If Venezuela did, the United States could take a range of measures, but analysts doubt it would stop buying its oil.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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