Colombia’s Congress has requested that the Ministry of Defense invest in more sophisticated weaponry, due to the country’s current turbulent relations with Venezuela.
Vice President of Congress Santiago Castro suggested an investment of up to $3 billion to improve Colombia’s air force, due to the country’s supposed vulnerability to air attack by its socialist neighbor.
“Colombia cannot enter into an arms race… But the Plan of Purchase must be changed this year,” said Castro.
After allegations that a Venezuelan military helicopter entered Colombian airspace this week, the vice president of Congress argued that, “If next time we do not respond to these provocations we will be giving the erroneous message that what we are demonstrating is not caution but weakness.”
“Venezuelan pilots must know that if they cross the border they will be in danger … A Venezuelan military helicopter entering Colombian airspace is a military aggression and a provocation,” he added.
Congress is currently awaiting the results of a discussion on the measures to be taken by the Colombian government in the face of external military aggression, in terms of military, political, economic and national security policies.