Russian officials Wednesday insisted the launch of the plant to manufacture Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela had to be postponed during 2021 as a consequence of sanctions imposed by the United States, but the final works have been gaining pace lately thanks to cooperation from local authorities.
Summary
- Russia hopes to start manufacturing Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela soon29th Wednesday, December 2021 - 20:59 UTC Full articleSanctions, corruption and COVID-19 were behind the plant’s successive delaysRussian officials Wednesday insisted the launch of the plant to manufacture Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela had to be postponed during 2021 as a consequence of sanctions imposed by the United States, but the final works have been gaining pace lately thanks to cooperation from local authorities.
- The Russian government expects to start producing Kalashnikov rifles in Venezuela next year, explained Valeria Reshétnikova, a spokeswoman for the Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation.
- Reshétnikova claimed the delays have also been due to the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to sanctions from the United States.
- Chávez had also assured that the United States blockade had limited the flow of financial resources needed for projects such as the rifle plant.
- The delivery deadlines of the Kalashnikov assault rifle factory in Venezuela have also been postponed several times due to corruption scandals.