Latin America in Crisis: Castro's Power Grows
Thank God for Newsmax. If not for these Right-Wing paranoid nutjobs, I wouldn't have any idea who I should live in fear of. Apparently, Castro is up to no good, and we should be cowering in fear that he and his minions mean to destroy our way of life. Rumor has it he is developing a terror network throughout Latin America, and that he is using his influence behind the scenes to spread terror throughout the Western Hemisphere.... Honey, maybe it's time we began digging that bomb shelter we've been talking about for so long....
The new pro-Castro axis could expand to include more than nine countries with 340 million people. There is also the possibility that thousands of Islamic and newly indoctrinated regional terrorists could try to attack the United States from Latin America.
Combining the strategic experience of communist Cuba, its Soviet-provided bioweapons technology with the oil derived financial resources of Venezuela and the long-established nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs of Brazil could mean that the pro-Castro axis might be able to threaten its neighbors and the U.S. with weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles.
Also, communist China has established close political and military relations with Cuba (1999) and Venezuela (2000). It is flying two reconnaissance satellites with Brazil, and President Lula da Silva has announced his plans to greatly expand Brazil’s relations with China. Therefore, it is likely that the pro-Castro axis could soon be geopolitically aligned with and militarily helped by communist China.
The Castro regime in Cuba has been using political means as well as covert action, terrorism and insurgency to bring anti-U.S., radical regimes to power in the Western Hemisphere and other regions since 1959.
Damn...and where IS Joseph McCarthy when we need him??
Look, I'm not one to underestimate or make light of the threat of terrorism. All you need to do is to refer to 9.11, Bali, and last week's bombings in Madrid to understand the seriousness of the threat. There comes a point, though, where you have to expend your resources to counter the most credible threats. Most Latin American leaders are so concerned with maintaining their own tenuous grips on power that it is difficult to imagine any of them fomenting terrorism directed against the US.
If we need something to fear, there are plenty of other things out there that we could legitimately and more reasonably fear. I'm just finding it difficult to believe that we face much of a threat from south of the border. Yes, we need to remain vigilant in all regards, but I don't know that Tom Ridge lays awake worrying about Venezuela.
Methinks that perhaps Newsmax is engaging in selling copy by appealing to the fear and ignorance of rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth Conservatives. Yeah, I know; whodathunkit??
