GEORGETOWN, Guyana -- Guyana's government is dismissing the main opposition party's concern about Venezuela strengthening its military with Russian weaponry.

Russia recently gave Venezuela a $1 billion credit to buy arms. It also has signed contracts worth more than $4.4 billion since 2005 to supply weapons to the socialist country.

But Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo's administration said Sunday it was confident Caracas respects its territorial integrity regardless of a long-standing border dispute between the two South American nations.

The People's National Congress on Saturday said the Russian weapons sales are reminiscent of a 1966 buildup, when Venezuela occupied half of Ankoko Island that Guyana says is its territory.

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