Venezuela-Spain arms deal to go through

MADRID, April 12 (UPI) -- Venezuelan officials said they would move ahead with the purchase of Spanish military planes and ships despite U.S. objections, El Pais reported Wednesday.

The $2 billion deal -- which the two nations signed last year -- appeared to be on hold when Washington said it would not allow Spain to sell the military equipment to Venezuela because it included U.S. technology.

U.S.-Venezuelan relations have soured in recent months.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez contends the Bush administration is trying to overthrow his government, while the White House says the leftist Venezuelan leader is turning his country into a Cuba-style regime.