Venezuela Threatens to Transfer F-16s to China and Cuba
In another sign of the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has threatened to transfer its fleet of 21 F-16 fighter jets to Cuba or China and replace them with Chinese or Russian aircraft. Chavez has accused the U.S. of blocking the sale of spare parts for Venezuela's F-16s and putting pressure on other countries, including Israel, to refrain from making parts sales as well. The U.S. recently blocked Spain's sale of 10 EADS CASA C-295 military transport aircraft to Venezuela, since the aircraft contained ITAR-controlled parts and components.
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