http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7641168.stm

Mr Chavez said he wanted nuclear power for energy and medical uses

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he wants to develop a civilian nuclear power programme with Russia's help.

Mr Chavez emphasised that he wanted nuclear power only for peaceful ends, citing energy and medical purposes.

His remarks follow last week's comments by Russian PM Vladimir Putin that Moscow was ready to consider nuclear co-operation with Venezuela.

Such a move would be likely to increase US concerns at the growing ties between the two nations, correspondents say.

"We certainly are interested in developing nuclear energy, for peaceful ends of course, for medical purposes and to generate electricity," Mr Chavez told a political rally in Caracas.

"Brazil has various nuclear reactors, as does Argentina. We will have ours and Vladimir told the media: Russia is ready to help Venezuela develop nuclear energy for peaceful ends," he said, adding that a commission was already working on the issue.

Naval exercise

President Chavez was speaking after a global tour last week that included a stop in Russia.

During his visit, Mr Chavez signed accords on energy co-operation with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev.

Mr Putin also indicated that Russia "was ready to consider the possibility" of working with Venezuela to build nuclear power facilities.

Russia and Venezuela have been increasing their ties in recent months. Russian warships are currently en route to the Caribbean Sea for joint exercises with the Venezuelan navy.

Venezuela is one of the best customers of the Russian defence industry, signing weapons contracts worth some $4.4bn (£2.39bn).

A staunch critic of the US, Mr Chavez backed Russian intervention in Georgia and has accused Washington of being scared of Moscow's "new world potential".

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This is scary. This is in our backyard. This is a crazy guy getting his hands on nuclear technology. This is Cuba Missle Crisis again. This could be worse than North Korea with Nuclear Weapons. This is being overlooked.

That guy just wants his country blown UP.

I guess with the economic issue being forefront in everyone's mind, people can easily overlook this. Probably why Russia and Chavez did this now.

dont worry mattias niilson will get him in venezuela

In our backyard?  Cmon!  Russia's always been right in Palin's backyard!

Which is why her experience is so important. ^_^

It has always been considered that this is within America's Sphere of Influence, Consider the Monroe doctrine. Isolationist sure, but it lays the foundation that things in North and South America should not be meddled with by anyone but America, something like that. Memory is a bit shaky.

Edit: I said Madison Doctrine before... Oops. I did say my Memory was shaky, but Madison was the Father of the Constitution and Monroe had the Monroe Doctrine...

How did the Cold War Machine get started again? Russia gave up, admitted defeat, and was becoming more like the United States.

Putin decided he'd rather be Stalin the Gorbachev?

I agree that Putin isnt the best of leaders.

But I think its naive to think that it is entirely Russia's fault. Trying to turn their ex-allies against them, strengthening of military defenses around their borders, and so forth doesn't exactly warrant nil response from the other side.

I'm not sure occupied countries with puppet governments count as ex allies.