We all live in a Russian submarine -- Contracts finalized

Caracas Daily Journal (Vincent Bevins): Russia has announced that it has a contract prepared for the sale of three submarines to Venezuela. The contract will likely be signed when Chávez visits Moscow next, likely at the end of the month, or at the beginning of March.

Caracas has become the biggest client of the Russian military industry, which has caused some concern, especially in the United States. However, defenders point out that Venezuela is merely restocking its forces.

The Varshavianka model submarine is state-of the art and expensive, with four torpedo launchers. The entire contract is likely to total over one billion dollars.

Another accord may be signed later this year, due to the inability of Venezuela to acquire military transport vehicles as a result of U.S. opposition. Critics question such large military investments during a time of food shortage, but Chávez has recently reiterated claims that the U.S. or Colombia might invade.

Conflict in the troubled border zone has also necessitated extensive deployments.