Still, that did not stop Chavez from making a worldwide trip to visit some of the leaders that represent the biggest opposition to the hegemony of the United States. As a bold move to “stick it” to Washington and other Western states, Chavez decided to visit Russia and publicly play his trump card – he recognized the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. However, this is not a move to just show solidarity for the two republics. Russia would not allow Venezuela to buy large amounts of weapons due to lack of funds. Because oil profits are falling right now, Venezuela is losing large amounts of money. Unsuccessful funding of the Venezuelan socialist policies will mean doom for Chavez. He needs to show the world that Venezuela is still able to hold its own in this world and its economy is on the track to a Golden Age.

The largest purchase that Chavez could make is weapons. He cannot purchase American weapons because his platform is based on opposing pretty much anything American. The Chinese are not the partners that Venezuela is looking for, because they have their own agenda and they would be a completely new partner. So, Chavez buys weapons from the only supplier he can deal with – Russia. Showing solidarity with Russia’s position in the war with Georgia in August of 2008 and accepting South Ossetia’s and Abkhazia’s independence, he put Russia in a position where it could not back away from making a weapons deal that he came to Moscow to make. He purchased small range missiles and tanks, as well as a credit line of $2.2 billion for weapons purchases.

But wait, you say, what’s in it for Russia? A good question indeed. For those of us that read the news often and pay attention to detail the answer is obvious – Venezuela was proven to have one of the largest deposits of natural resources not even a month ago. Everything seems to fall into place. Chavez knows that if he is unable to explore the areas he will have to bring in foreign companies to further explore and extract the gas. He knows that he cannot bring in the Chinese or America. The EU, meanwhile, is more on the side of the US and other world leaders are not attractive enough to provide interest for Venezuela.

Although Russia risks being put closer to Chavez (a radical mind looked down upon by many world leaders) the potential gains are vast. Part of Chavez’s visit was to sign deals over gas extraction – direct competition to the monopoly of US energy companies, business ties and increasing influence to Latin America. No wonder the US feels threatened right now and is actually issuing statements how the weapons purchase is a direct threat to the stability of peace in Latin America. This has merit, because Chavez may end up selling the weapons to FARC and other radical organizations in Latin America. But this is all a part of the game of politics.