EL UNIVERSAL
CARACAS, Wednesday January 19, 2011 | Update
WikiLeaks: Lula was afraid of Venezuela's purchase of Russian aircrafts
The former Brazilian president expressed his concern to his US counterpart
Lula da Silva talked about the purchase of arms by Venezuela (Photo: Reuters)
Politics
Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2011), was concerned about the possible purchase of Russian military aircrafts by Venezuela in 2005, as disclosed by whistleblower website WikiLeaks, reported Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.
According to a US secret diplomatic cable leaked by WikiLeaks, Lula told then US President George W. Bush (2001-2009) that he was concerned about a likely "power imbalance in South America," if Caracas purchased military aircrafts from Russia or from other countries rather than from Empresa Brasileña de Aeronáutica (Embraer), DPA reported.
At that time, Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez tried to purchase 20 Brazilian Super Tucano aircrafts to Embraer but the United States vetoed the transaction.
On the Cover
Venezuelan government gives aid to farmers hit by rains
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