MOSCOW — President Chavez of Venezuela called on Russia to challenge America’s superpower status yesterday as part of a growing revolution against the “tyranny” of Washington.

Arriving in Moscow for what is believed to be an arms-buying spree, the left-wing Latin American leader urged Russians to revive the thinking of the founder of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin.

“They don’t want Russia to keep rising,” he said, referring to America. “But Russia has risen again as a center of power, and we the people of the world need Russia to become stronger. We should remember Vladimir Lenin and come back to his ideas, especially when it comes to anti-imperialism.”

Mr. Chavez opened a cultural center in Moscow, accompanied by a troupe of Venezuelan dancers and singers and a large delegation of military officers.

He is expected to address members of Parliament Friday and go to the races with President Putin in southern Russia on Saturday before traveling on to Belarus and Iran.

Mr. Chavez, who frequently warns his countrymen of an imminent attack by America, played down suggestions that he was in Moscow to seal a deal to buy Russian submarines.

The purchase would be the latest addition to a growing list of military hardware that oil-rich Venezuela has bought in recent months.

Last year, Venezuela spent about $3 billion on helicopter gunships, fighter planes, and rifles from Russia.

The Venezuelan leader yesterday emphasized the need for cultural resistance to America’s “imperial bombardment.” He also welcomed Russian investment in his country’s booming energy sector. He said American companies unwilling to stick by Venezuela’s move toward nationalization of oil resources should leave.

Mr. Chavez has been feted during his visit. The Russian MP, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, said: “He’s the best president on the planet. … There’s nothing wrong with Russia being friends with leaders who are anti-American because the whole world is anti-American.”