Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has disclosed his government has begun producing surveillance drones after reports emerged U.S. prosecutors are examining Venezuela’s drone program. In a televised speech, Chávez said the country has built three drones with help from Iran but plans to use them only for defensive purposes.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez: “We are also building a factory of unmanned drones. Of course we are doing it, and we have all the right to do so. Probably we wouldn’t have the right to do it if we were a colony. We are a free and independent country.”