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| Hugo Chavez [FILE PHOTO] Credit: Agência Brasil |
Caracas: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has asserted that his country was building drones with the help of Iran.
Addressing country’s military officers in a broadcast speech, Chavez said that China, Russia, and other countries had also assisted Caracas in producing the aircraft and that the drones are intended for surveillance purposes only.
The President was flanked by a military officer who claimed that Venezuela has produced three drones so far after engineers were trained in Iran.
Chavez, who is known for his anti-US stance, has maintained close military and other ties with Tehran.
Media reports suggest that US officials are aware of the drone project.
"We will be most vigilant in watching how this goes forward," US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters.