The United States on Friday said it will ask Russia to reconsider selling two dozen fighter jets to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez after Washington banned all U.S. arms sales to Caracas.

The U.S. government, which calls Chavez an autocrat threatening regional stability, has already opposed Spanish and Brazilian aircraft and warship sales to Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest oil exporter and a key U.S. crude supplier.

Chavez, a former soldier who says he is battling U.S. influence in Latin America, said on Wednesday he will buy 24 Sukhoi 30 fighters to replace his government's U.S.-made F-16 jets after charging Washington blocked sales of spare parts.