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Southern Command chief concerned about Iran's Latin influences
By the A.M. Costa Rica wire services
The commander of U.S. forces in Latin America says the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is involved in drug trafficking in Colombia. The admiral is worried about increased Iranian and Hezbollah activities throughout the region.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday, the commander, Admiral James Stavridis, accused Hezbollah of involvement in the drug trade.
"We have seen in Colombia a direct connection between Hezbollah activity and the narco-trafficking activity," he said.
The admiral's comment came in response to a question from a senator seeking more information about concerns first raised by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates before the same committee in January. The secretary accused Iran of engaging in what he called subversive activity in several places in Latin America. He called newly opened Iranian offices in Central and South America "fronts" for interfering in local affairs.
Admiral Stavridis, who heads U.S. Southern Command, noted what he called "an increase in a
wide level of activity by the Iranian government," including the opening of six new embassies in Latin America during the last five years, and what he called "proselytizing and working with Islamic activities throughout the region."
"That is of concern principally because of the connections between the government of Iran, which is a state sponsor of terrorism, and Hezbollah," he said. "We see a great deal of Hezbollah activity throughout South America, in particular. "
Stavridis said the United States has good cooperation with the tri-border countries of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and that policymakers receive what he called a reasonable level of information about what goes on there. But, he said, there are no U.S. military personnel in the area.
The admiral also spoke about Venezuela during his testimony. He said the United States does not have a good understanding of what the government of President Hugo Chávez intends to do with his growing military and strong relationship with Russia. But Stavridis said reduced revenues from the fall in the price of oil will affect Venezuela's ability to continue its high level of arms purchases from Russia and to maintain and operate its new, expensive weapons systems.
By nine inch nails on Mar 18, 2009, 05:25 in Politics & the war.
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markobhoy says on Mar 18, 2009, 07:08: The US Military using the threat of terrorism as a pretence to increase their presence in a region with huge natural resources.
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tasco66 says on Mar 18, 2009, 07:52: The only Hezbollah connection in the region that I know of is this one: The trouble with free elections is, you never know who is going to win (Leonid Brezhnev) 0 funny, 1 helpful. |
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span_colombia says on Mar 18, 2009, 08:00: this is an interesting story. I was looking into taking farsi classes at la nacional, which are offered by an Iranian diplomat.
1 funny, 0 helpful. |
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miamimike says on Mar 18, 2009, 09:06: South America, actually in practically all of Latin America save but a dew countries, has been practically ignored the last several years. When a Vacumn exists, someone moves in to fill it. No surprise on Hezbollah moving in,,, Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Sam Salmon says on Mar 18, 2009, 10:13: Hezbollah has been in business for years and years now particularly in Paraguay. ' a la orden!' 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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elchantajista says on Mar 18, 2009, 15:15: There is a est 30,000 illegales that enter USA from Mex that are from arabic decent anda de parranda al Juanchito "Vicente" 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Rikito says on Mar 18, 2009, 15:53: There is only one way to deafeat them. You do what needs to be done to FARC...kill them, take no prisoners. You can only win if you keep cutting off the head when it grows back over and over and over. And let's not get to socialistic here like in the northern european welfare states. Hezbollah and those that think like thme only want to do one thing...kill you. That has been thier rallying point since they began. It is the stated reason of Islam...they have been preaching this crap since Mohammed (Not the Holy Prophet) smoked his first hubbly bubbly and got stoned and did his siter in the name of God. ...and so it goes 0 funny, 1 helpful. |
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markobhoy says on Mar 18, 2009, 18:31: i find it amazing that US citizens ( and foreigners) still take statements from the US military/government at face value.
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quantum says on Mar 19, 2009, 07:51: So Rikito, what are we supposed to do then? Employ the same narrow minded barbaric tactics that Islamic countries use? Is there really well founded intelligence that Hezbollah has made a beachhead in Latin America or just simply a bunch of folks of Arabic descent. Weve got flocks of em here on the border between Costa R. and Panama and they dont bother anybody. In fact theyre industrious and create 100's of jobs for otherwise unemployed young Panamanians. Jewish people and Muslims manage to live in peace in Panama City. My guess is the problem is overrated and exagerated. And as Markobhoy stated, "I find it amazing that U.S. citizens (and foreigners) still take statements for the US military/govt at face value". I can assure u Mark, I dont.......... quantum 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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dwmte7 says on Mar 20, 2009, 16:20: whole lot of prattle here about islam...rikito says he lived in the islamic world for seven years...musta had his eyes closed. they are hardly all ignoramuses nor brutes. nor are they terrorists. patriarch 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Rikito says on Mar 21, 2009, 12:50: dwmte7, I couldn't disagree with you more. Just because you lived in Iran for awhile gives you no more insight than someone from China commenting on Taiwan. Iran is a very modern state, its people are diverse in thought and tolerant unlike the rest of the Islamic worked. They are also tolerant of other religions. ...and so it goes 0 funny, 1 helpful. |
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dwmte7 says on Mar 22, 2009, 15:16: thoughtful post rikito....thank you. that doesn't disuade my sentiments,however. patriarch 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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dwmte7 says on Mar 22, 2009, 15:21: a degression, brother, we have both wandered wide of the thread, 'hesbollah in colombia' and for my part i apologize. patriarch 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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pobrecito says on Mar 22, 2009, 16:52: It is rikito who is very sick ... No mas Tasco66 ! 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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Rikito says on Mar 23, 2009, 13:04: pobrecito, why did you make the comment you did. Was it out of ignorance since you do not know me or could it be that because you are French you know everything? people like you are so typical and remind me of my first wife...always quick to interrupt a discussion and acclaim their superior intelligence even though they have little clue of what is being discussed. dwmte and I are in a basic agreement, but we see thing from a different approach which his only natural given his religious training and internal beliefs. Unlike many Christian beliefs, Islam lives their faith openly...they don't make false statements. For example, their desire to conquer and convert all infidels. Their desire to conquer the world even by killing anyone in their way is well documented. These statements are true and where supposedly said by the Prophet. ...and so it goes 1 funny, 0 helpful. |
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poco says on Mar 23, 2009, 13:31: Quote: South America, actually in practically all of Latin America save but a dew countries, has been practically ignored the last several years. When a Vacumn exists, someone moves in to fill it. No surprise on Hezbollah moving in,,, Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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pobrecito says on Mar 24, 2009, 07:30: Rikito is more sick than I thought. Psychosis ? No mas Tasco66 ! 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 24, 2009, 08:05: Pobre, If you have any sort of actual argument to put forth, feel free, but if all you have to offer is personal attacks, then be quiet. I'm so hip, I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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goin_south says on Mar 24, 2009, 18:26: Let's stay politically correct, okay: nothin I say is to be takn for my words, but rather for the words of Sailor Jerry. 1 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Mar 24, 2009, 22:40: I can't see Hezbollah being a big success in Colombia. Trying to get women to cover up when they won't do it in the middle of a Bogota hailstorm :P Or trying to get people to stop eating chorizo....
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poco says on Mar 25, 2009, 10:34: Oh,, I love it,, I've got another "Maxine" ,, later Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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poco says on Mar 25, 2009, 10:41: Quote: its clear Douglas and Rikito both know what they are talking about, just as clear as it is Pobrecito is being ignorant. Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Mar 25, 2009, 11:23: There are as many extreme christians and jews as muslims in this world, make no mistake about it.
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poco says on Mar 25, 2009, 11:31: Quote: They all has MASSIVE ground level support. Colombian Chickens are crowing about the new President of the U.S. who will assure that From each according to their ability to each according to their need. 0 funny, 0 helpful. |
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La_Huella says on Mar 25, 2009, 18:27: Hitler was very popular too, no matter how people don't want to admit it now. He had admirers all over the world.
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vladimiro says on Mar 28, 2009, 17:24: "Honor killings" are part of a common Mediterranean culture in which a man's honor is tied to the ability of other men to seduce his women :) That's why in Colombia, which like many moslem countries is also a Mediterranean influenced society, killing your wife if you caught her cheating only became illegal in 1980. According to HRW its still legally tolerated to kill your wife in many parts of South America.
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