To put more context into the current "situation" in regards to Vz promises, consider this snipet from The Economist:

http://www.economist.com/displayStor...

Venezuela has already spent over $4 billion on Russian weaponry. This includes dozens of helicopters, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and 24 Sukhoi-30 fighter-bombers—among the world’s most sophisticated combat aircraft. On his latest arms-buying trip to Moscow, in July, Mr Chávez said Venezuela would “raise flags, bang drums and sing songs” for the Russian fleet. Russia, he said, was a “strategic ally” and shared “the same vision of the world”.

He was also quoted (though he later denied it) as offering military bases. With Russia on the lookout for opportunities to poke Uncle Sam in the eye, and Venezuela eager to acquire powerful friends, this is a “perfect alliance”, says one Venezuelan foreign-affairs specialist. “Venezuela knows that under the wing of the Russians, it will be easier to manoeuvre vis-à-vis the United States and [its ally] Colombia.” Or as Mr Chávez puts it, “Go ahead and squeal, Yankees.”