
CARACAS,- President Hugo Chavez said Monday that Venezuela has received thousands of Russian-made missiles and  rocket  launchers as part of his government's military preparations for a possible  armed conflict with neighboring Colombia.
 "They are preparing a war against us," Chavez said during a televised  address, repeating a charge he has been making for months. "Preparing is one of  the best ways to neutralize it." Both Colombia and Washington deny having any plans to attack Venezuela, but Chavez argues they are plotting  together a military offensive against Venezuela. Chavez says his government is  acquiring more weapons as a precaution. "Thousands of missiles are arriving," Chavez said. The former  paratrooper-turned-president did not specify what type of missiles, but said  Venezuela's growing arsenal includes Russian-made Igla-1S surface-to-air  missiles and rocket-propelled grenades. Chavez, who has been feuding with Colombia for months, claims an agreement  between Bogota and Washington allowing the U.S. military to increase its  presence at seven Colombian military bases poses a threat to his country.  Colombia says the deal is only to help it fight the war on drugs and insurgents  inside its territory. Chavez also said Monday that Russian tanks, including T-72s, will be arriving  "to strengthen our armored divisions." Venezuela has bought more than $4 billion worth of Russian arms since 2005,  including 24 Sukhoi fighter jets, dozens of attack  helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov assault rifles. In September, Russia  opened a $2.2 billion line of credit for Venezuela to purchase more weapons.