MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) – Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said in September that he wanted to discuss the delivery of Russia-made Sukhoi Su-30 jets with President Vladimir Putin, but no steps have been taken in Caracas toward a deal.
"Maduro has confirmed his intention to buy 12 new warplanes, but the talks have not moved into a practical phase," Ambassador Vladimir Zayemsky told RIA Novosti, adding that he had no details on the price tag of the future deal.
Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said last month that the government was to spend $480 million on the maintenance of their Sukhoi fighter jets.
Russia’s military cooperation with Latin American nations, including Venezuela, increased in 2014 with deals on high-tech arms sales and the construction of naval facilities.