Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his Iranian counterpart Mahmoud Ahmadinejad pledged yesterday to stand together to battle "imperialism," with Mr Chavez criticising tough sanctions on Iran.
Attending the UN-sponsored Rio+20 summit on sustainable development, Mr Ahmadinejad said: "We will build our countries, and we will get away from all the pressures of imperialism."
Mr Chavez faces a tough re-election contest in October, expressed "solidarity" with key ally Iran as it faces growing pressure from the West over its suspected nuclear program.
Iran has sought closer political and economic relations with many countries in Latin America.
Mr Chavez announced last week that with Iranian help, he had made his first drone and planned to soon begin exporting the unmanned aircraft.
A Venezuelan general said the drone, which "does not carry arms," has a 100km sweep, can fly solo for 90 minutes and can reach an altitude of 3,000m.
The US has expressed caution about Mr Chavez's announcement.
During yesterday’s talks, Mr Chavez thanked Mr Ahmadinejad for Iran's help in building 14,000 houses.
Iran and Venezuela have mutual investment of about $5bn (€3.9bn) in factories to make cement, satellites, food, tractors and bicycles.
En route to Rio, the Iranian leader stopped in Bolivia to court support.
Mr Chavez has visited Tehran 13 times since taking power in 1999.
He is hoping for a third term in 7 October elections.
President Chavez faces a strong challenge from an often fractious opposition that has now united behind centre-left rival Henrique Capriles.
