Iran boosts Quds force troops in Venezuela

Iran is increasing its paramilitary Qods force operatives in Venezuela while covertly continuing supplies of weapons and explosives to Taliban and other insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to the Pentagon’s first report to Congress on Tehran’s military.

Source: Newsmax

Hugo Chavez orders military to shoot at US aircraft

President Hugo Chavez has accused the US of violating Venezuela’s airspace with an unmanned spy plane, and ordered his military to shoot down any such aircraft in the future.

Source

Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Mr Chavez said the aircraft overflew a Venezuelan military base in the western state of Zulia after taking off from neighbouring Colombia. He did not elaborate, but suggested the plane was being used for espionage.

“These are the Yankees. They are entering Venezuela,” he said.

“I’ve ordered them to be shot down,” Mr Chavez said of the aircraft. “We cannot permit this.”

He has accused Colombia of allowing the United States to use its military bases to prepare a possible attack against Venezuela.

Both the US and Colombia have denied such allegations in the past, saying the US military presence is for the sole purpose of combating drug trafficking.

A spokeswoman for the US Embassy said the mission had no information about any flyover and had not been contacted by Mr Chavez’s administration.

“If the Venezuelan government would like to speak with us about any issue, we would welcome discussions because we seek open dialogue with all nations in the hemisphere,” spokeswoman Robin Holzhauer said.

It is not uncommon for Mr Chavez to accuse other nations, especially the U.S. and its allies, of conspiring against Venezuela.

Last week, the president accused the Netherlands of letting the US military use Dutch islands off Venezuela’s Caribbean coast to prepare for a possible military offensive. The former paratroop commander said the US military has sent intelligence agents, warships and spy planes to Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire, which are self-governing Dutch islands.

The Dutch government rejected the allegations and the country’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, has asked Venezuela’s ambassador to clarify the claims, Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman Bart Rijs said.

Rijs said US soldiers do use civilian air fields on Curaçao and Aruba, but only for anti-drug trafficking efforts.

Tensions between Venezuela and neighbouring Colombia have been tense for months due to Mr Chavez’s accusations of warmongering and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe’s allegations that Venezuela has allowed Colombian rebel leaders to seek refuge there.

Mr Chavez denied on Sunday that his socialist government is protecting Marxist guerrillas and warned Colombia’s military against sending soldiers across the border.

“You’ll be sorry,” he said. “We are not unarmed.”

Chavez: Venezuela acquires thousands of missiles

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9CEQGF82&show_article=1

Venezuela's Chávez tightens grip on ports

Hugo Chávez orders military to seize control of Venezuela’s ports and airports. Latest in a string of seizures. Hubs were in states governed by opposition leaders. Will allow Russia to use air base in Venezuelan territory.

Source: Times Online (UK)

Russian bombers could be based in Cuba, Venezuela

Russia considers basing strategic bombers in Cuba and Venezuela.

Source: AFP

Chávez, allies manipulating anti-Israel views

Venezuela expels Israeli ambassador. Venezuelan media do not portray Hamas as a terrorist group.

Source: Miami Herald

Venezuela signed into a “strategic alliance” with Iran.

Iran using Venezuela to dodge sanctions

Iran is using Venezuela to ship missile components to Syria, circumventing U.N. sanctions. In return, Iran is sending IRGC and Quds Force commandos to train Venezuelan police and secret services.

Source: AFP

Venezuela's Chavez welcomes Russian warships

Russia deploys warships into Carribean for the first time since the Cold War. Russia wants to build nuclear reactor in Venezuela. Chavez has bought $4 billion of Russian arms, with the intention of buying more. Economy is hurting Russia’s plans to finance gas pipeline across South America.

Source: AP

Russia Makes Arms Deals with Iran and Venezuela

Serious breakdown in US-Russian relations. Russia selling anti-aircraft systems to Iran despite US objections. Venezuela to buy new Russian military equipment in 2010. US seeks to block Russia from international organizations. US repeats commitment of $1 billion in economic support to Georgia.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4781027.ece

US, Venezuela Escalate Crisis

US imposes sanctions on Venezuelan officials accused of helping smuggle drugs and weapons. Chávez threatens to shut off oil supply to US. Former Interior Minister has major ties to FARC.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1246892820080912?sp=true