As a part of a $201 million dollar arms deal between the two nations, Venezuela’s military received the first three of fifteen Russian-made MI-17 assault helicopters, which the Venezuelans say will be used to patrol the 1,400 mile long border with neighboring Colombia, a nation known for guerilla violence and is the world’s largest producer of cocaine. Venezuela has also ordered over 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles, claiming they are for defense in the event of a U.S. invasion, whereas critics are concerned the rifles may fall in the hands of leftist guerillas in neighboring countries and destabilize the region.