Posted on 02/14/2009 5:48:44 AM PST by Flavius
WASHINGTON: Venezuela serves as a bridge for Iran’s influence in Latin America and continues to harbor leftist rebels from Colombia, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair told the US Senate on Thursday. Blair warned not only about Venezuela, but also its fellow leftist allies Cuba and Bolivia, and about the growing drug problem in Mexico and FARC rebel strength in Colombia, in an annual assessment of global threats to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
A thorn in the US side since President Hugo Chavez first took office 10 years ago, Venezuela took center stage in Blair’s assessment of Latin America. US-Venezuelan relations took a turn for the worse in September when they expelled their respective ambassadors, and following complaints that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) were provided sanctuary in Venezuela.
“We assess Chavez is likely to maintain his decade-long ties to FARC by providing them safe haven because of his ideological affinity to the group and his interest in influencing Colombian politics,” Blair said.
The intelligence czar said the Chavez-FARC links made public after turning up in the computer files of a rebel commander killed by Colombian troops in Ecuador in March, “forced Chavez, at least rhetorically, to improve relations with Bogota.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thenews.com.pk ...
Gee....I wouldn’t be surprised if THIS Congress and administration sent some financial help to Chavez, Raul Castro,the FARC, and to EVIL Morales in Bolivia.
"ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A suspected U.S. missile strike by a drone aircraft flattened a militant hide-out in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday, killing 27 local and foreign insurgents, intelligence officials said.
Several more purported militants were wounded in the attack in South Waziristan, a militant stronghold near the Afghan border where al-Qaida leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahri are believed to be hiding.
The new U.S. administration has brushed off Pakistani criticism that the missile strikes fuel religious extremism and boost anti-American sentiment in the Islamic world's only nuclear-armed nation.
From the Russian News and Information Agency:
July 27, 2006
"'I am determined to expand relations with Russia,' Chavez, known as an outspoken critic of what he calls the United States' unilateralism, told the Russian leader, adding that his determination stemmed from their shared vision of the global order.":
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060727/51913498.html
_____________________________________________________________
Venezuela Set to Develop Nuclear Power With Russia
September 29, 2008
CARACAS, Venezuela — President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that Russia will help Venezuela develop nuclear energy — a move likely to raise U.S. concerns over increasingly close cooperation between Caracas and Moscow.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,429441,00.html
_____________________________________________________________
Venezuela's Chavez welcomes Russian warships
Nov 25, 2008
LA GUAIRA, Venezuela – Russian warships arrived off Venezuela's coast Tuesday in a show of strength aimed at the United States as Moscow seeks to expand its influence in Latin America. The deployment is the first of its kind in the Caribbean since the Cold War and was timed to coincide with President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Caracas — the first ever by a Russian president.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081125/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_venezuela_russia;_ylt=Aubowfbe9_MUlOufaFqMD.OMwfIE
“continues to harbor leftist rebels from Colombia”
*****
Unfortunately, the US Govt continues to harbor leftist rebels from Kenya, Nevada and S.F.
Simply more evidence of hypocrisy.....and something I believe they think will temper the growing dissatisfaction of the American people about what is taking place here at home.
TRUST me....although I think most of this Congress and several members of the administration are inept in many ways...they are also CALCULATING.
I think Chavez is going to be ‘cheese wiz’ pretty soon...
I reserve judgment on your assessment.
If he gives any closed door briefings, DiFi will be sure to let everyone know what was said.
That’s your right. ;-)
I find them CALCULATING....but lacking in overall logic and wisdom.
Collective Stupidity
And we haven’t even discussed the amazing amount of immorality and lack of ethics to boot.
“Men do not differ much about what things they will call evils; they differ enormously about what evils they will call excusable.” (GK Chesterton)
Very true. I could laugh off some stupidity by itself but the stupidity is not recognizing the evil it is perpetuating. I guess that is where the labeling of Republicans as the party of stupid and the Democrats the party of evil comes from.
Hey guys, meet your new ally ... Obamastan.
044 will make Sluggo our new BFF.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.