The Iranian effort, which has been joined by Venezuela in a joint effort to establish a strong terror base in the region, is especially palpable in countries ruled by anti-American left wing regimes such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia. Nonetheless, Iran has also increased its presence in Mexico and Colombia, which are considered more U.S. friendly. The rate of the increase of Iranian personnel in Mexican and Colombian embassies were described by the New York sources as...

REUTERS - Colombia's government said it would allow a left-wing senator to take part in a planned hostage release alongside a Red Cross delegation on Monday, easing doubts about whether the mission would go ahead. FARC rebels freed four hostages on Sunday in the first of three prisoner releases planned this week but complaints of military harassment during the handover cast doubt on the release of two politicians held for years in jungle camps. "The president has agreed to a request...

Caracas, Venezuela -- An armed group vandalized Caracas' oldest synagogue, shattering religious objects and spray-painting walls in what Jewish leaders called the worst attack ever on their community in Venezuela. Two security guards were overpowered late Friday by about 15 people who left graffiti such as, "We don't want murderers," and "Jews, get out." The synagogue canceled Saturday's worship service. Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro condemned the attack, while...

International Jewish groups expressed concern after an attack on a Caracas synagogue and blamed Hugo Chavez for creating an atmosphere of hate in Venezuela. Up to 15 people attacked the Tiferet Israel Sephardic synagogue late Friday night, throwing Torah scrolls on the floor and damaging some, according to reports. They also painted epithets such as "death to the Jews" on the synagogue's walls. The synagogue's guard had been held at gunpoint and was found on the floor of the...

Are we in the brink of a new era where Iran is at the root of all these acts? Alberto Jabiles,Venezuela's Bnai Brith President, asked today when talking about the attack to Tiferet Israel and the demonstration against this attack adding they where all angry and anguished by this event. On the other hand, he added, we've never seen so many non-governmental organizations showing their support as they did today including among the demonstrators the Simon Bolivar University, Monteavila...

CARACAS, Venezuela - A group of unidentified assailants overpowered security guards and vandalized a synagogue here early Saturday morning, the latest in a series of episodes aimed at Jewish institutions since Venezuela’s recent expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and the severing of diplomatic ties with Israel to protest the war in Gaza. The vandals broke into Tiferet Israel, a Sephardic synagogue in the Maripérez district of Caracas, strewing Torah scrolls on the floor and...

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates told Senators Tuesday that although much attention was given to Russia's recent courting of some Latin American countries, he is more concerned about new activities of Iran in the region. Secretary Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee he is worried about efforts by the Iranian government to gain influence in Latin America. "I'm concerned about the level of, frankly, subversive activity the Iranians are carrying on in a number of...

Yesterday, the Iranian news agency FARS reported that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would be attending celebrations at Tehran University to celebrate the end of the Gaza war and the victory of the Palestinians over the Zionist army. According to the report, Bolivian President Juan Evo Morales and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have also been invited to the ceremony, to be held yesterday by Iran's Islamic Students Society. FARS cited Esmail Ahmadi, public relations director for the...

I must admit that the horrendous Gaza events (including the rocket launches to Israel territory, let's not forget that) bring me a perverse satisfaction: they offer a chance to Chavez and chavistas to display their antisemitism. Including tacky wearing of Palestinian "foulards" on TV. But of course Chavez might have expelled the Israeli ambassador to Venezuela but not a drop of oil is cut from the deliveries to Israel main backer, the Evil U.S. of A. Empire. So, as it is always the...

WASHINGTON - Outgoing CIA Director Michael V. Hayden said yesterday that the most pressing issues facing his successor include Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon and surging violence in Mexico - but not the war in Iraq. Hayden also defended the agency's use of harsh interrogation methods and said he had advised the incoming administration against going too far in dismantling the agency's counterterrorism programs. "These techniques worked," Hayden said of the agency's...