The Spanish Government has confirmed it will go ahead with the sale of military hardware worth more than $2 billion to Venezuela, despite US attempts to block the deal. The US refused Spain permission to export 12 aircraft and eight naval patrol boats to Venezuela because they contained some American-built equipment.
But Spain now says it will use alternative European technology. The US ambassador to Madrid, Eduardo Aguirre, says the Venezuelan Government's actions have contributed to regional instability and the proposed sale could complicate matters.
But Spain's Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, says the planes have no offensive capability.
He says Madrid has fulfilled European Union and NATO regulations. Relations with Washington have been strained since Spain's socialist Government withdrew its troops from the US-led force in Iraq shortly after winning elections in March 2004.
Venezuela says the planes are needed to combat drug smuggling but US officials fear the equipment could be used to arm Colombian rebels.
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