Chavez Hails Strategic Alliances With Russia, China
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez hailed what he called a strategic alliance with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, saying the Russian president tried to prevent a 2002 coup that briefly ousted Chavez.

"We've found in Russia a real strategic ally, like in China and many other countries too," Chavez said.

He said Putin has invited him to Moscow and he will try to make room in his agenda to go.

Chavez, who accuses the U.S. government of backing the 2002 coup against him, said Putin tried to help him at the time.

"I remember the efforts by Vladimir before the coup of 2002 because they knew many things," Chavez said.

"He tried to prevent it but it was inevitable - the (U.S.) empire had already decided to overthrow the (Chavez) government."

Chavez's government has fostered closer ties with Moscow particularly through military deals worth an estimated C$3.2 billion. Venezuela is buying Kalashnikov rifles, Sukhoi fighter jets, M-17 helicopters and other arms from Russia.