Congress’ fear that the radical Islamic group known as Hezbollah has reached into Latin America has brought together a number of public policy groups to discuss defense options with the House Homeland Security subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence. Hezbollah is classified as a terrorist organization by the State Department, and before the events of 9/11, it was responsible for the majority of U.S. terrorism attacks.
The groups will testify in front of the subcommittee, and statements are expected to align with those made by Air Force General Douglas Fraser, who stated that Iran and its close allies in Hezbollah are taking full advantage of their relationship with Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, and outspoken critic of the U.S.
Fraser added that Iran has increased its number of Latin American embassies and is teaching the ways of Islam to the low-income resident.
“There are flights between Iran and Venezuela on a weekly basis and visas are not required for entrance into Venezuela or Bolivia or Nicaragua,” Fraser said. “So we don’t have a lot of visibility in who’s visiting and who isn’t, and that’s really where I see the concerns.”
