Western officials fear Hezbollah presence in South America
Washington, 27 August (IranVNC)—Western anti-terrorism officials are concerned that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon is using Venezuela as a base for operations in South America, the Los Angeles Times newspaper reports.
By: IranVNC
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
20:00GMT—4:00PM/EST
VENEZUELA – IRAN – HEZBOLLAH
Washington, 27 August (IranVNC)—Western anti-terrorism officials are concerned that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon is using Venezuela as a base for operations in South America, the Los Angeles Times newspaper reports.
Quoting an unnamed Western anti-terrorism official, the newspaper wrote that Hezbollah may try to take advantage of the close ties between Venezuela and Iran to move “people and things” into South America.
“It’s becoming a strategic partnership between Iran and Venezuela,” the newspaper quoted the official as saying on condition of anonymity.
Earlier this month, Iran and Venezuela announced they had pledged at least $225 million to help Bolivia establish a state-run cement company.
And in May, Tehran and Caracas announced the creation of a shared bank, and a month earlier, the two countries signed 15 cooperation agreements in the areas of energy, construction and agriculture.
Commenting on the Iran-Venezuela relations, the official said: “It preserves the capability of Hezbollah and the [Islamic] Revolutionary Guard [Corps] to mount attacks inside Latin America,” adding: “It is very, very important to Iran and Hezbollah right now.”
The United States, which considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization, in June designated two individuals based in Venezuela as supporters of Lebanon’s Shiite militant group Hezbollah, and froze their US assets.
The U.S. accuses Iran of funding and arming the Lebanese militia group, but Tehran says its role in Lebanon is a positive one and that it provides only moral support for Hezbollah.
Sources: Los Angeles Times, US Treasury Department website
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