WASHINGTON — The United States voiced alarm Monday that Venezuela’s weapons purchases may be fueling a Latin American arms race after a deal between Caracas and Moscow to buy tanks and anti-aircraft rockets.
“We have concerns in general about Venezuela’s stated desire to increase its arms build-up, which we think poses a serious challenge to stability in the Western Hemisphere,” State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters.
“What they are looking to purchase and what they are purchasing outpaces all other countries in South America,” he said.
