US seeks to sway Russia on jet sales to Venezuela

US seeks to sway Russia on jet sales to Venezuela
Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:46pm ET

CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) - The United States on Friday said it will ask Russia to reconsider selling two dozen fighter jets to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after Washington banned all U.S. arms sales to Caracas.

The U.S. government, which calls Chavez an autocrat threatening regional stability, has already opposed Spanish and Brazilian aircraft and warship sales to Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and a key U.S. crude supplier.

Chavez, a former soldier who says he is battling U.S. influence in Latin America, said on Wednesday he will buy 24 Sukhoi 30 fighters to replace his government's U.S.-made F-16 jets after charging Washington blocked sales of spare parts.

"We'll certainly be in touch with the Russian government, who would be the potential source providers for those fighter aircraft," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in Washington.

"I think we will ask them to take another look at any potential sales they have, given what Venezuela's real defensive needs are," he said