Venezuela feared as Hezbollah base

BOGOTA, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Western anti-terrorism officials say they are concerned Hezbollah may use Venezuela as a base of operations.

The Shiite Muslim organization that Washington has called a terrorist group may try to take advantage of Venezuela's ties with Iran, Hezbollah's longtime sponsor, to move "people and things" into the Americas, a government terrorism expert. said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has several times traveled to and established warm diplomatic relations with Iran.

Others recall Hezbollah was linked to the deadly attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina in the early 1990s, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. The Bush administration, Israel and others worry Venezuela is becoming a base for anti-U.S. militant groups and spy agencies, including Hezbollah.