Venezuela moving up on the radar screen

A concerning development about Venezuela obtained from Breitbart: Venezuela Weighs Selling U.S. Jets to Iran

Caracas, Venezuela (AP) Venezuela is considering selling its fleet of U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to another country, perhaps Iran, in response to a United States announced ban on arms sales to President Hugo Chavez's government, a military official said Tuesday.

Was this an excuse to sell F-16 aircraft or was it the reason why the United States suddenly announced that it was suspending arms sales to Venezuela?

General Alberto Muller, a senior adviser to Chavez, told The Associated Press he had recommended to the defense minister that Venezuela consider selling the 21 jets to another country.

Muller said he thought it was worthwhile to consider "the feasibility of a negotiation with Iran for the sale of those planes."

Even before the U.S. announced the ban on arms sales Monday, Washington had stopped selling Venezuela sensitive upgrades for the F-16 aircraft.

Chavez has previously warned he could share the U.S. jets with Cuba if Washington does not supply parts for the planes. He also has said he may look into buying fighter jets from Russia or China instead. Source Breitbart News Service: F-16 Sales.

Looks like Chavez is now moving up on the radar screen. He appears to be on tracking at a constant bearing, decreasing range. There appears to be a problem developing.

As Venezuela moves up on the target list, most Venezuela-watchers believe that Chavez is moving his country towards a command economy on the Cuban model and install a communist government. Venezuela is transforming into a radial government before our vary eyes.

Interestingly in April, Chavez ordered nationalization of foreign oil companies because, " This country does not allow itself to be blackmailed." Venezuela's Oil and Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez said, "These two multinational companies resist adjusting to our law. Our sovereignty isn't under negotiation." Talk about blackmail. Chavez is trying to blackmail the United States and hold the Western Hemisphere hostage with his energy maneuvering.

Financial Crimes Consultant and South American expert, Kenneth Rijock, claims that Ramirez is the cousin of Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, the infamous leftist militant turned terror mercenary, also known as Carlos the Jackal. Apparently, the Ramirez family is close to Chavez and his Bolivarian elite. Looks to me like Chavez Bolivarian elite is starting to look a lot like the Communist Party.

The close link between Chavez and Iran does not come at a surprise, either. In a La Nueva Cuba news article several months ago Rijock claimed of a possible Hezbollah, North Korea, Iran, and Chavez government connection. Rijock claims that Iran has plans to ship missiles to Chavez in oil tankers so as not to be suspected. Chavez may transfer them to Cuba.

Rijock indicated separately that Isla Margarita, a semi desert island just off the coast of Venezuela, is home to Venezuela's Hezbollah contingent, Lebanese -Venezuelans. Rijock believes that when foreign agents enter Isla Margarita, they sometimes take up temporary residence in Cuba.

There is a lot more to Chavez than meets the eye. Perhaps he is on a collision course with the United States.

Technorati tags: International Terrorism, United States, murder, terrorists, Hezbollah, Socialist, Chavez, Americas, Venezuela, Laura Mansfield's Notebook, Asymmetric warfare, Civilian Militia, Jeffrey Goldberg, Rijock, Iran, Americas, news feed, journalists, Opinion