Ironically, Venezuela is both one of America’s largest suppliers of oil and one of America’s most dangerous South American enemies. Unfortunately, it is now set to become the most militarily powerful nation in Latin America.

This certainly is not good news for America, especially in light of the many threats spouted off by that country’s radical socialist leader. Most recently, on the eve of President Hugo Chavez’s latest world tour aimed at garnering support for Venezuela’s bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, he claimed he would “very humbly, with all the humility that we feel in our hearts, contribute modestly toward the battle to free the world from the imperialist threat”—meaning America—if elected to the UN seat.

Later during his tour, which includes visits to Belarus, Russia, Qatar, Iran, Vietnam and Mali, Chavez denounced Israel’s military campaign in Lebanon as “a true genocide.” He never mentioned the thousands of rocket attacks on northern Israeli towns and cities or the abduction of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah.

Last week, officials announced Venezuela was being granted observer member status in the Arab League. According to Central University of Venezuela international relations professor Maria Teresa Romero, “The Arabs have appreciated Chavez’s declarations of support, and the Arab League has promised to lobby in behalf of Venezuela in the United Nations.” Recent reports suggest that Venezuela is leading Guatemala, the U.S.-backed candidate, in the race for the Security Council seat.

But even if Venezuela does not get elected to the council, its latest military achievements are making it an increasingly dangerous foe in South America.

Today, Chavez is in Russia where he is expected to sign military contracts worth approximately $1 billion. The deal includes the purchase of 24 of Russia’s most sophisticated fighter planes, the Su-30mk2. The Russian made fighter jet is comparable to the U.S. F/A 18E/F Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle. The Russian planes may also be equipped with Russia’s most high-tech missile, the KH-31A, which supposedly is capable of penetrating U.S. naval air defenses.

Chavez says the planes will give his nation a deterrent capability against a U.S. invasion, saying that they would be able to destroy any U.S. aircraft carriers in the Caribbean.

In addition to the fighter jets, Venezuela is expected to buy 30 military helicopters, and has expressed interest in Yak-130 training airplanes and Il-96 airliners (Russian Press Digest, July 25). The aircraft are expected to be delivered by the end of the year.

Chavez has also announced that Russia will build a factory in Venezuela to produce the Kalashnikov AK-103 assault rifle. Moscow is also investing $1 billion in an aluminum plant in southeast Venezuela. Critics suggest the rifles will end up supporting anti-American guerrillas in U.S.-allied South American countries.

Venezuela is certainly becoming a thorn in America’s side. However, the true irony in the story may not just be that America is relying on an enemy to provide its oil, but that the money Americans spend on that oil is being used to purchase weapons to threaten and oppose American influence.