Chavez criticises sanctions on Iran

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez criticised international sanctions on Iran as he met with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Iran has been seeking relief from growing UN and other sanctions, including international embargoes on its oil sales.

Mr Chavez said that Iran faces “obstacles imposed by imperialism, blockades, threats, unilateral sanctions”.

Mr Chavez has previously defended Iran’s controversial nuclear programme, saying he believes the Iranian government is simply pursuing peaceful energy uses.

The Venezuelan leader said that Iran can count on “all the support of the Venezuelan people, of the Venezuelan government”. He did not say what that support is to entail.

The two leaders pledged to keep building closer ties, though they did not mention specific initiatives.

Both leaders are staunch critics of the US government and said during the meeting in Caracas that they hope to work together to counter “imperialism”.

Mr Chavez also reiterated that Venezuela has begun producing surveillance drones equipped with small cameras, and said the military project should not cause anyone concern.

“They create a scandal here, the Venezuelan right and the United States, the spokespeople of the empire,” Mr Chavez said. “It’s to increase our security capability.”

Mr Chavez did not say whether Iran has a role in the production of the drones.