CARACAS, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said his country is ready to buy Russian-built fighter jets, as the United States refuses to supply spare parts for its F-16 jets.

    At a military ceremony on Monday, Chavez expressed his appreciation for Russia's help, saying Venezuela will buy fighter jets from Russia and "keep them here to protect this land."

    He also thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for approving the sale of 33 military helicopters and 100,000 AK-47 assault rifles to Venezuela.

    Chavez also blamed Washington for forbidding Brazilian manufacturers from selling training aircraft to his country on grounds they use U.S. technology.

    Despite the setbacks, Chavez said "nothing and nobody will stop us from making our country's armed forces stronger."

    Relations between Venezuela and the United States have been deteriorating in recent years. Caracas has accused Washington of backing an abortive coup to overthrow Chavez in April 2002. Enditem