MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela adds troops to Colombian border

Venezuela is beefing up its troop strength along the Colombian border, negotiating with Russia to set up arms factories, and preparing for a possible invasion, the army commander said Friday.

The army has increased its force along the Colombian border by about 6,000 men, Gen. Raul Baduel said at a news conference. He said 1,000 troops are now guarding the 1,370-mile border, which is plagued by drug trafficking, smuggling and guerrilla and paramilitary activities.

"We cannot set aside the possibility of a military invasion on our country," because its vast oil deposits make it a target, he said.

Baduel declined to specify what country the army was preparing against for a possible invasion. President Hugo Chavez has repeatedly accused the United States of plotting an attack to unseat his government ? charges U.S. officials deny.

Venezuela has used its surging oil revenues to modernize its military, signing defense deals worth an estimated $2.7 billion with countries including Russia and Spain as suppliers.

Baduel said Venezuela is negotiating with Russia to set up factories to produce Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition within three to five years.

Venezuela expects to receive a shipment of 30,000 Kalashnikov AK-103 rifles this weekend ? the first of 100,000 this year, Baduel said.

U.S. officials have expressed concern about Venezuela's military buildup. Calling Chavez a destabilizing threat to the region, they have kept close watch on his ties with other leftist leaders, including Bolivian President Evo Morales and Cuba's Fidel Castro.

The U.S. State Department on Friday indicated a clear preference for Guatemala over Venezuela for the Latin America-Caribbean seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Venezuela also plans to send two Superpuma helicopters and a contingent of military officials to Bolivia, Defense Minister Orlando Maniglia said this week.

Some Bolivian opposition groups have questioned the presence of Venezuelan military officials, including Baduel, among Chavez's delegation on a recent trip to Bolivia.