Chavez confirms trip to Russia, China and Portugal next week

CARACAS (AFP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Tuesday he plans to travel to Moscow next week as he hailed a military exercise with Russian strategic bombers as a ""marvelous"" success.

""I am going to Moscow. From Beijing, I will drop by Moscow next week for a meeting,"" Chavez told a news conference at the presidential palace in the Venezuelan capital, adding that he will visit Portugal as well.

Chavez was scheduled to depart for China on Sunday but he had not previously confirmed plans to pay a visit to Russia, after having received an invitation from the Russian government delivered by vice premier Igor Sechin in a recent visit to Caracas.

Chavez on Tuesday expressed delight with the military exercise and praised Russia for helping his country's pilots.

""We are very pleased, the operation was marvelous,"" Chavez told reporters.

Chavez said the world's geopolitics was in a dynamic state, referring to his government's improved relations with Russia and China that include arms sales and energy deals.

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