2005: US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld’s Criticism of Venezuela’s Purchase of 100,000 AK-47s Received No Support from Latin American Countries

In 2005, the Venezuelan armed forces were poorly equipped:

·       “The Venezuelan armed forces are poorly equipped as a result of several years of underfunding.  According to an independent report, its armed forces are a ‘hollow shell’ that is so weakened by budget cuts that soldiers patrolling the border region often lack uniforms, boots, helmets, body armor and ammunition.” [1]

The Venezuelan Government began” shopping around” to modernize its Armed Forces.[2] Upgrading the Country’s Army Service Rifle was a high priority. Venezuela and ninety other countries began using the Belgian FAL rifle in the 1950s. Most countries switched to other rifles in the 1980s and 1990s. The FAL was still the main service rifle of the Venezuelan Army in 2005.In 2005 Venezuela purchased 100,000 Kalashnikov AK-47 rifles from Russia.[2]

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld criticized the purchase:

•        “I can’t imagine why Venezuela needs 100,000 AK-47s. I just hope that it doesn’t happen. I can’t imagine that if it did happen, that it would be good for the hemisphere.” [2]

Hugo Chavez said “I consider it the state’s responsibility to equip and train the armed forces of the nation. And that is all I’m doing nothing more.”[3] Chavez said the military purchases would be used to improve Venezuela’s ability to prevent drug trafficking along its borders. Anna Gilmour of the defense magazine Jane’s said, “Venezuela has increased its military purchases. But it is replacing obsolete weapons and military equipment, instead of just buying new equipment or new weapons.” Gilmour said that Rumsfeld may have “political” reasons for making the comments about Venezuela.[4]

Rumsfeld’s concerns about hemispheric threats from the purchase received no support from neighboring Latin American countries:

“The US has adopted a policy designed to isolate the Chavez administration. However, US policy has been broadly rejected by other countries in the region who do not share Washington’s assessment of the threat posed by the Chavez government. Washington’s attempts to isolate Chavez because of his arms acquisitions have found little echo in the region.”[1]



1.Perdomo and Bromley, CBMs in Latin America and the effect of arms acquisitions by Venezuela, Elanco Royal Institute Working Paper, September 22, 2005

2. New York Times, Rumsfeld in Brazil, Criticizes Venezuela on Assault Rifles, March 24, 2005

3. Arms Control Association, Venezuela, Russia Sign Weapons DeaL, Arms Control Today, September 2006

4. Venezuelanalysis, Venezuela Rejects Rumsfeld’s “Concerns Over Arms Purchases, October 4, 2006

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