Chavez: "we’ll send you a few Sukhois"

Troops Mass at Colombian Borders

Excerpt:

Chávez’s threat points to one of the tensest moments between Venezuela and Colombia in recent decades. Whether or not the saber-rattling produces conflict, Mr. Chávez stands to benefit from a distraction from social problems here, like food shortages and surging inflation.

Mr. Chávez couched his warning by saying he would react in the event of a Colombian raid into Venezuela. He taunted President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia, a Bush administration ally, calling him a “mafia boss,” “criminal,” “liar” and “lackey of the empire.”

Comment: Wiki: Sukhoi