Gus Condemns Venezuelan Support of Iranian Missiles

Press Release

Last week, Gus sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urging her to label Venezuela as a state sponsor of terrorism and investigate its government.

Venezuela recently collaborated with Iran to establish a military base armed with medium-range missiles that could reach the U.S., according to reports.

"This is another sign of an increasingly dangerous relationship between Venezuela and Iran that threatens to destabilize the Western Hemisphere," said Gus, who is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Western Hemisphere subcommittee. "It's not enough for Iran to terrorize the Middle East, it now seeks to ally itself with rogue nations in South America to serve as a menace there."

The letter encourages Secretary Clinton to take a close look at Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, his relationship with Iran in relation to the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, and his support for terrorist organizations.

This letter also was sent on the heels of another report that Venezuela has acquired 1,800 antiaircraft missiles from Russia.

"Iran's medium-range missiles, coupled with Russian antiaircraft missiles, can only embolden the already hostile Hugo Chavez," Gus said. "The country's actions pose a very credible threat to our national security and I urge a swift resolution."

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