BBC
On Tuesday, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Russia planned to build two munitions plants in the country.
Moscow has already signed a deal to supply Venezuela with 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles.
The move is likely to worry the US, which regards Mr Chavez as a destabilising influence in the region.
In May, the US State Department banned arms sales to Venezuela because of concern over its contacts with Iran and Cuba and what it called Venezuela's lack of support for counter-terrorism efforts.

'Defend every street'

Mr Chavez made his announcement during a visit to Ecuador to sign a series of energy deals.
"The Russians are going to install a Kalashnikov rifle plant and a munitions factory," he said. "So we can defend every street, every hill, every corner."
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