Venezuelan former military officers and analysts Monday criticized what they labeled as Hugo Chávez' "arms race," following his government move to purchase Russian warplanes, in addition to ongoing purchases of assault rifles, patrol boats and military choppers, DPA reported.

Former Defense minister Raúl Salazar rejected the purchase of 24 Russian Sukhoi-30 warplanes. He warned Venezuela has been shifting its foreign policy strategy from cooperation to confrontation.

"We are facing a sort of war schizophrenia. Instead, we should use international relations to achieve the country's goals. Sometimes I wonder, is it necessary to make such huge expenses, while the country is facing so many problems?"

He criticized Venezuela recent clashes with the United States, Mexico and Colombia on political reasons, claiming they are old, major trade partners.

Retired general and former inspector of the National Armed Force (FAN) Manuel Andara showed surprise at Chávez' move to start an "arms race", rather than solving people's problems such as unemployment and insecurity.
 
Andara said that, contrary to what Venezuelan military authorities state, Venezuela is not on the edge of a war with a foreign enemy, but it is facing war domestically, given high crime rates.

Analyst Gerardo Arellano claimed the government has started a military race, "just like any other authoritarian regime."

Arellano claimed Venezuela is no longer an example of construction of an alternate model. "This is exactly what happened in the former Soviet Union. Basically what they did was arm the people, expel their nationals and foster a unique thought."