the Chavez threat to the U.S.

”Chavez has the means and motivation to harm the United States in a way that no other country – and perhaps no other terrorist organization – could,” they argue.

Venezuela’s leader has more soldiers on active and reserve duty than any other nation in Latin America, has forged a strategic military and oil alliance with terrorist sponsor Iran and funds a Communist insurgency against the United States, Schoen and Rowan say. He has also let the Hezbollah terrorist group set up a base in Venezuela and supported the FARC terrorists in neighboring Colombia, they add.

- Joachim Bamrud, Latin Business Chronicle (excellent book review, btw)

In their book The Threat Closer to Home American authors Schoen and Rowan argue that Hugo Chavez is "fund[ing] a Communist insurgency against the United States." This is a very similar to the statement Honduran Army Commander, General Garcia Padget, made on the subject yesterday: "Honduras stopped the expansion plan to bring socialism disguised as democracy to the heart of the United States."

Plus, note what else they are saying:

• Chavez has forged a strategic military and oil alliance with terrorist sponsor Iran.
  
• He has also let the Hezbollah terrorist group set up a base in Venezuela.
  
• He has Supported the FARC terrorists in neighboring Colombia.
  

Consider this: Bolivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and a few minor Caribbean states have already fallen under Chavez's dominion. Honduras has (so far) been his first defeat. In the ongoing battle between good and evil, little Honduras has handed this particular manifestation of evil its first ass kicking. We have stood up for democracy, free enterprise, peace, and liberty. As a people, we Hondurans share very similar values, hopes, and aspirations with the American people. We have shown that we are courageous, strong-minded, and lionhearted. How could the United States possibly turn its back on us at this critical juncture?