The Iran-Venezuela Connection: Gateway to Hezbollah in Our Front Yard

BY JOE KAUFMAN - IASW

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez’s secretive cooperation with Iran may very well be the key to carrying the threat of terrorism to the Americas against U.S. security and interests. Because of Venezuelan President Chavez’s close alliance with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, the possible threats are grave and growing.. The two despots are united in their animosity against the United States and Israel and are determined to carry their asymmetrical struggle to the Americas.

Venezuela and Iran were two of the founding members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). However, the two are connected beyond just oil interests. Venezuela and Iran also have mutual interests in spreading terror. While it is no surprise that Iran finances and arms Hezbollah and Hamas, the Middle-Eastern terrorist organizations, one may be amazed to find out that Venezuela has opened its arms to both groups, one of which, Hezbollah, conducts activities right from Venezuelan soil.

La Guajira Desert is an area bordering Venezuela from the northern tip of Colombia. It is home to the largest population of indigenous people in that country. Along with Venezuela’s Margarita Island, it is also home to Hezbollah’s Venezuelan base of operations. Appropriately termed ‘Hezbollah Venezuela,’ the group sports a logo that closely resembles the one used by the main organization in Lebanon.
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According to the Israeli government, mosques in La Guajira have been known to collect donations for Hezbollah. The group also raises money by getting involved in the area drug trade, often times in coordination with other terrorist outfits, such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC).

Of course, all of this is encouraged by Venezuelan and Iranian leaders, who work closely with one another and who openly support Hezbollah’s destructive mission against the West. A common enemy (along with oil) has brought the Socialists and Islamists together.

Flights offered by the state-run airlines of Iran and Venezuela between Teheran, Damascus and Caracas allow for easy access to Latin America by Hezbollah and other Iranian-supported militants. This also provides a gateway into other countries, such as the United States.

This past March, current and former intelligence officials testified before the House Homeland Security Committee that Hezbollah is ready to launch a terrorist attack within the U.S. It is believed that there are at least 100 Hezbollah cells inside America. A military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities could very well be the catalyst to trigger this attack.

It may be a matter of time before these events take place. Hugo Chávez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be biding their time.

Some of Florida’s leaders in Congress – notably Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen – are forcing the Obama administration to pay greater attention to this emerging threat. One of my highest priorities when elected to Congress will be vigilance over the security of the United States, beginning with Latin America and the Caribbean, and action to address the dangerous alliances among our enemies.

Joe Kaufman is a candidate for United States Congress in Florida’s District 23. He is an expert on counter-terrorism, energy and foreign affairs.