The UAE [arms] market is definitely important to the US. Just the order for 80 of the newest-generation F-16E/Fs alone was a major buy from the US.

Interestingly, there are already upgrades planned for these fighter planes even though they have not completed delivery.

If any other country in Latin America were acquiring these weapons, the U.S. wouldn't say boo. Because it's Venezuela, it has got caught up in politics.