Trouble to the south - Vigilance needed in Caribbean

Washington Times ^ | October 30, 2008 | Howard Whetzel

[Tailgunner Joe]

Iranian Hezbollah has set up training camps in Venezuela. It is expected that these "trainers" will then expand their operations, reported to be drug and weapons smuggling, and money laundering, to the countries Iran has established diplomatic relations with in the region.

This is not news to the United States.

The U.S. Navy and State Department are both well aware of this recent activity. An example is that of St. Vincent, (a large drug transfer point in the Caribbean), which has Iran providing funds for a new airport. The U.S. Ambassador to region recently asked the prime minster to break off budding relations with Iran. Needless to say, the ambassador was rebuked.

This is a growing trend in the region, with centrist governments all facing extreme economic pressures, the leftists in their countries are seizing these opportunities to expand their base through the use of Venezuelan, Chinese and Iranian economic assistance. This danger to the United States is extreme, with Iran and its surrogates Hezbollah setting up facilities so close to the United States and its allies, potentially providing a fifth column of unprecedented scale. The U.S. Navy has been watching this growing problem with alarm and with good reason. Publicly stating their concern with the possible Iranian ability to smuggle weapons into the United States, or potentially provide weapons of mass destruction to agents within borders, is being practiced and perfected. ....

Mr. Chavez is expanding narcotics and weapons smuggling in the region, utilizing his friends Hezbollah. We know from his actions, or inaction against drug traffickers in Venezuela, that he is not only supporting this activity but also receiving funding from them. His purchase from the Russians of weapons and weapons production rights clearly demonstrates his intentions.

[Outland]

Here comes the next front. We can’t afford an Obama.

[ncfool]

But we will not hear this on any MSM station or newspaper.

[berdie]

Thank you for posting this. I have been following the developments to the South for some time. I don't think people are aware how vulnerable we are. With Mexico in turmoil and a porous border we could face serious danger. The situation is far more serious than a threat from the ME, imo.

Given the fact that a large number of refugees from the Nazi Party set up housekeeping in Argentina and Brazil after WWII, that both China and Russia are courting the current Venezuelan, Bolivian and Ecuadorian regimes..we could have a huge problem that is being totally ignored.

[rvoitier]

I watch msm. I know all about this. NOT

Hope McPalin bring it up on the stump until election now that it's out in the public.

This is probably what Biden was talking about when said Obama would be tested.

Looks like Chavez and Putin and whatever the name of the head of China is are getting ready for an Obama win, too.