"US officials are monitoring developments that show the South American nation is providing assistance to Islamic radicals from the Middle East, and exploring whether there are any al-Qaeda connections," it added. The magazine also said it has learned that "thousands of Venezuelan identity documents are being distributed to foreigners from Middle Eastern nations, including Syria, Pakistan, Egypt and Lebanon."***
Globovision director Alberto Federico Ravell said inspectors from the Conatel state telecommunications watchdog seized equipment after accusing the station of illegally broadcasting on unregistered frequencies. The 24-hour news channel remained on the air.
"We consider this an illegal and irregular seizure...It is the first step in closing down a television news channel," Ravell said.
Angry anti-government demonstrators waving flags and blowing whistles crowded outside the station in northeast Caracas as Globovision employees jeered Conatel officials inspecting antennas on the roof.
Lawyers for Globovision said Conatel had seized seven transmission dishes and an antenna that the station used to broadcast live.
Globovision is one of four private television stations President Hugo Chavez has dubbed the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for their critical coverage of his self-styled "revolution" for the poor. Chavez has accused the channel of backing a short-lived coup against him last year.
But government officials said the seizure was part of a routine inspection. "There is no move to take Globovision off the air. This is a legal procedure because Globovision is operating on some frequencies illegally," Information Minister Jesse Chacon told reporters.
Chavez has threatened to revoke the broadcast licenses of private stations he views as biased against him.
At a rally on Friday, Chavez warned he would no longer allow private television stations to broadcast calls for rebellion from dissident military officers.
"We are on the alert and we will remain on the alert for any sign of excess, especially from the media... We will apply the law where we have to," he said.
Chavez is battling a referendum campaign by opponents who portray him as a dictator bent on installing communism. Opposition leaders want to end his rule with a vote next year. ***