Venezuela's Chavez to begin 6-nation tour through Latin America, Europe

President Hugo Chavez begins six-nation tour this week bringing the Venezuelan leader to Bolivia, Nicaragua, Spain, Russia, Belarus and Portugal. Chavez is slated to meet on Friday with Bolivian President Evo Morales and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Bolivia, where they plan to discuss infrastructure projects. The government's Bolivarian News Agency says the socialist leader travels to Nicaragua on Saturday for the 29th anniversary of the Sandinista Revolution with President Daniel Ortega. Then Chavez heads for Spain, Russia, Belarus and Portugal. Last week, Chavez said that Venezuela could purchase military hardware from Russia, including submarines and tanks.