Iran is moving aggressively to gain influence in our hemisphere, and left-wing, anti-American leaders in Latin America are rolling out the red carpet for President Ahmadinejad. As this Marxist-Islamist entente grows, it presents a clear danger to American security and makes the need for action against Iran's nuclear program even more pressing. The latest development in the alliance came this weekend, when Mr. Ahmadinejad visited Latin America for the second time in four months. In Venezuela, he was received at the airport by President Chavez. "Welcome to Venezuela, where Iran is beloved," the Caracas daily El Universal quoted Mr. Chavez as saying. "We give welcome to a distinguished leader, the leader of a heroic people and of a revolution kindred to the Venezuelan revolution: the Islamic revolution."
The two retired to the presidential palace, Miraflores, to sign off, El Universal reported, on at least 29 memorandums and letters of intent. They also reiterated that they would push for OPEC production cuts, and, the Associated Press reported, they announced plans for a $2 billion joint fund to finance projects that would thwart American domination. "This fund, my brother, will become a mechanism for liberation," Mr. Ahmadinejad said to Mr. Chavez during the announcement.
The diplomatic footsie continued the next day in Nicaragua, where, according to Iran's state-owned Islamic Republic News Agency, Mr. Ahmadinejad was awarded two state medals by Nicaragua's newly inaugurated president and America's
old foe, Daniel Ortega.
As Cuba's Fidel Castro continues to die, Hugo Chavez has been positioning himself to claim the title of leading Latin American thug. And with growing ties to Iran, Chavez clearly is not content to be a member of the Axis of El Vil. He wants to be a full-fledged member of the Axis of Evil.
While it is clear what benefit Ahmadinejad gets from this arrangement, what in the world does it provide for Venezuala?
I wonder how the Catholics of Latin America will like the jihad that Idiot Savante Hugo Chavez wants to lead them in fighting?
