Iran (Hezbollah, Hamas) Influence and Activities in Venezuela and
Transcripción
Iran (Hezbollah, Hamas) Influence and Activities in Venezuela and
Iran’s Threat in the Western Hemisphere General Context • Relationship In just the last 5 years, Iran and Venezuela have created a vast economic, political, and operational relationship, which both countries use to advance their asymmetric strategies in the USA’s own neighborhood. • Projects The $30 billion inventory of joint projects and commercial transactions and the broad range of cooperation (diplomatic, military, commercial, financial, industrial, energy, petrochemical, and many others) makes Iran’s relationship with Venezuela one of its most important partnerships in the world. • Platform Iran uses Venezuela to project its influence and activities in the Americas, to evade international sanctions, and to harvest uranium and other strategic minerals in the region – all with the aim of aiding its illegal nuclear program and challenging the USA and international security. Areas of Cooperation Area 1: 2004 Financial Infrastructure Area 2: 2006 Industrial Infrastructure Area 3: 2005 Technical Cooperation Area 4: 2007 Nuclear Technology and Uranium Mine Area 5: 2007 Military Cooperation Area 6: 2005 Terrorism and Drug Trafficking Iran’s Significant Presence in Venezuela 1. Financial Infrastructure 2. Tractor Factory 3. Cement Plant 4. Gold Mine 5. Energy Sector 6. Chemical Plant 7. Car Assembly Plant 8. Bicycle Factory 9. Tuna Processing Plant 10. Dairy Products Plant 11. Corn Flour Plant 12. Housing Development 13. Weapon Factory 11/14/2011 4 Venezuela Supports Iran’s Evasion of Sanctions Evasion of International Restrictions on Iran’s Access to Financial System Iranian Government Iranian Companies (Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps) Iranian Subsidiaries’ Companies in Venezuela International Financial System Venezuela Financial System 11/14/2011 Venezuelan Government (PDVSA) 5 Incorporation of a Venezuelan Commercial Bank Notes: Rahim Faramarzi, CEO Banco Toseyeh Saderat Iran C.A. Industrial Sector Tractor Factory Cement Plant • VENEIRAN (Bolivar State) • Edhasse Sanat (Monagas State) Urbanización Los Tucanes NO. 22, Maturín, Estado Monagas Bicycle Factory • FANABI (Cojedes State) Gold Mine • Impasco (Bolivar State) 11/14/2011 7 Iran’s ‘Tractor’ Factory: Venelran Military-Style Compound with Iranian Security Building 3 Building 1 Building 2 HighSecurity Facility 11/14/2011 8 Iran’s ‘Tractor’ Factory: Intended Recipient of Bomb-Making Materials and Lab 11/14/2011 9 Iran’s ‘Tractor’ Factory ‘Barrels of nitrate and sulfite chemicals’ 11/14/2011 10 Transportation Industry Regular Flights Regular Flights Route: Caracas – Damascus – Teheran Route: Caracas – Damascus – Teheran Aircraft: Boeing 747 SP Aircraft: Airbus 340-211 Tail Number: EP-IAD Tail Number: YV 1004 Transportation Industry Net loss for 3 years operations USD $ 30,140,776.42 11/14/2011 12 CONVIASA: Cargo Facility 11/14/2011 13 Energy Rafael D. Ramirez C. President, PDVSA 11/14/2011 14 Cousins Ilich Ramirez Sanchez AKA: Carlos ‘the Jackal’, Ramirez’ cousin Rafael D. Ramirez C. President, PDVSA Military Iran and Venezuela’s Ministers of Defense (Mostafa Mohammed Najjar and Ramon Carrizalez), signing an agreement of military cooperation on April 30, 2009 in Caracas 11/14/2011 16 Military Training of the Venezuelan Armed Forces in asymmetric war and techniques to sabotage the energy infrastructure. Army, Navy and Militias 11/14/2011 Explosive plant in Carabobo State CAVIM Overhauling for the Venezuela’s combat plane F-5 by Iranian Air Force Air Force Infrastructure and machinery to build bombs, Bolivar State. Unnamed Aerial Vehicles M2 42 Planes Maracay Aragua State CAVIM AIO Tractor Factory Veneiran 17 Iranian Cooperation in ‘Nuclear Technology’ 11/14/2011 19 Iranian Cooperation in ‘Nuclear Technology’ Notes: • Cooperation “in the field of nuclear technology….” • Accord signed Nov. 14, 2007 11/14/2011 20 Venezuela’s ‘Nuclear Power Program’ 11/14/2011 21 Iranian Cooperation in ‘Nuclear Technology’ Notes: • Internal Document CEA • Discloses Nuclear program years before Chavez admitted to have one • The Atomic Energy Committee (CEA) is our “Nuclear Energy Programme implementing Organization (NEPIO)1 since 2007. • The CEA is conformed by – Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT) – Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MENPET) – Ministry of Basic Industries and Mining (MIBAM) – Electric Companies (CORPOELEC) – Universities (UCV, USB) NEPIO is the designation used in the IAEA by the guide “Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power” 1 Workshop on Steps for Conducting Nuclear Power Plant Technology Assessments, Vienna, Austria, 17-20 November 2008 11/14/2011 22 Funding Venezuela’s Nuclear Program Notes: • Roughly $50 Million for “Science and Technology” Program 11/14/2011 23 Funding Venezuela’s Nuclear Program Notes: • “Peaceful use of Nuclear Energy” • Chavez personal approval 11/14/2011 24 Venezuela’s Nuclear Program Notes: • Russian deal signed days after Chavez says he is only “studying” nuclear energy… • Same firm that built Bushehr Nuclear Reactor 11/14/2011 25 Uranium in Venezuela’s Roraima Basin Notes: • Among the largest deposits of uranium in the world • Canadians are mining “uranium” in Guyana… 11/14/2011 26 Iran’s “Gold” Mine (Impasco – Minerven) 11/14/2011 27 Iran Strikes ‘Gold’ in Uranium Basin Notes: • Canadians are mining “uranium” in Guyana… Iranians mining “gold” in Venezuela • Export of uranium to Iran would be an apparent violation of UN sanctions • Eyewitnesses say ore processed at Iranian “cement plant” and loaded on barges on Orinoco River 11/14/2011 “Gold” Mine 28 Uranium Reserves in Venezuela Notes: • Iran discovered Uranium in Venezuela in 2007 Prospección de Uranio en la Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela Deciembre 2010 11/14/2011 29 Uranium Reserves in Venezuela Notes: • Thousands of samples taken throughout the country 11/14/2011 30 Uranium Reserves in Venezuela Title: Location of geochemical samples taken Ubicación de muestras geoquímicas tomadas por el Proyecto Irán – Venezuela Etapa I Iran – Venezuela Project: Phase 1 (Uranium exploration) 11/14/2011 31 Uranium Reserves in Venezuela Results Iranian Study: Location of geochemical samples taken Regional Geoquimical Explorations in Timotes, Merida State (Uranium exploration) 11/14/2011 32 Uranium Reserves in Venezuela Title: Distribution Map of Uranium Regional Geoquimical Explorations in Timotes, Merida State September 2007 Geological Survey of Iran Instituto Nacional de Geologia y Mineria Venezuela 11/14/2011 33 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela 11/14/2011 34 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela Ghazi Atef Salameh Nassereddine Abu Ali 11/14/2011 35 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela Birth Certificate Spanish Translation Ghazi Atef Salameh Nassereddine Abu Ali 11/14/2011 36 June 18, 2008 hp-1036 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela Treasury Targets Hizballah in Venezuela Washington - The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated two Venezuela-based supporters of Hizballah, Ghazi Nasr al Din and Fawzi Kan'an, along with two travel agencies owned and controlled by Kan'an. "It is extremely troubling to see the Government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hizballah facilitators and fundraisers. We will continue to expose the global nature of Hizballah's terrorist support network, and we call on responsible governments worldwide to disrupt and dismantle this activity," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). June 18, 2008 Today's hp-1036action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists, those owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of terrorists, and Treasury Targets Hizballah insupport Venezuela those providing financial, technological, or material to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Assets the designees hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. Washington - The U.S.from Department Treasury today designated two in persons are prohibited engagingofinthe transactions in property or interests Venezuela-based supporters of Hizballah, Ghazi Nasr al Din and Fawzi Kan'an, property blocked under the order. along with two travel agencies owned and controlled by Kan'an. Identifying Information "It is extremely troubling to see the Government of Venezuela employing and providing safe harbor to Hizballah facilitators and fundraisers. We will continue to GHAZI NASR AL DIN expose the global nature of Hizballah's terrorist support network, and we call on responsible governments worldwide to disrupt and dismantle this activity," said Ghazi Nasr al Din is a Venezuela-based Hizballah supporter who has utilized his Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). position as a Venezuelan diplomat and the president of a Caracas-based Shi'a Islamic provide to Hizballah. Nasr al Din served Today'sCenter action to was taken financial pursuant support to Executive Order 13224, which targets until recently Charge d' Affaires at the Venezuelan Embassy in Damascus, Syria, terrorists,asthose owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of terrorists, and and was subsequently appointed the Director of Political Aspects at theor acts of those providing financial, technological, or material support to terrorists terrorism. Assets the designees hold under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen and U.S. Venezuelan Embassy in Lebanon. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in property or interests in Nasr al Din has counseled donors on fundraising efforts and has property blocked under the Hizballah order. provided donors with specific information on bank accounts where the donors' Identifying Information deposits would go directly to Hizballah. GHAZINasr NASR AL DIN Ghazi al Din has met with senior Hizballah officials in Lebanon to discuss operational issues, as facilitated the travel of Hizballah members to and Ghazi Nasr al Din isasa well Venezuela-based Hizballah supporter who has utilized his from Venezuela. In late January 2006, Nasr al Din facilitated the travel of two position as a Venezuelan diplomat and the president of a Caracas-based Shi'a Hizballah representatives to the Lebanese Caracas toserved solicit until Islamic Center to provide financial support Parliament to Hizballah.toNasr al Din donations Hizballah and toat announce the opening of a Hizballah-sponsored recently asfor Charge d' Affaires the Venezuelan Embassy in Damascus, Syria, community center and office in Venezuela. The year, Nasr al Din and was subsequently appointed the Director of previous Political Aspects at the arranged the travel of Hizballah members to attend a training course in Iran. Venezuelan Embassy in Lebanon. Nasr alHaj DinGhazi has counseled Hizballah donors on fundraising efforts and has AKAs: Nasseredine provided donors with specific information on bank accounts where the donors' Ghazi Nassereddine deposits would go directly to Hizballah. 11/14/2011 Ghazi Nasr al Din has met with senior Hizballah officials in Lebanon to discuss 37 Terrorist Training: City of Qom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errorist Training: City of Qom Notes: • Recruiter: • Rouhollah Kiyaei Nejad • Cover of Iran Air • Network of “Islamic Centers” for proselytisms and recruitment 11/14/2011 39 Terrorist Network: Structure Mohsen Rabbani Universidad Islámica de Irán Ciudad de Qom, IRAN Gobiernos de Irán y Venezuela Sheij Suhail Assad Encargado de dirigir los centros en América Latina Joao Adriano Olivera da Silva Centro Islámico de Belo Jardim Brasil 11/14/2011 Munir Valencia Sheij Rouhollah Kiyaei Nejad Centro Cultural Islámico la Ciudad del Profeta Centro Islámico Imán Khomeini – Simón Bolívar Colombia Venezuela Sheij Seied Abdala Medina Mesquita Al-Imam Argentina Shaij Mahmud Aid Centro Chileno Islámico de Cultura de Puerto Montt Chile 40 Terrorist Network: Structure 11/14/2011 41 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela Abdul Ghani Suleiman Wanked (Lebanon) 11/14/2011 Dante Rafael Rivas Quijada (Director of Saime) Walid Makled Garcia Kingpin List Imad Saab Saab (Venezuelan Ambasador in Syria) Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah (Minister of Interior) Army General Aref Rachani Jimenez (CAVIM President and PDVSA Director) Edmundo Kabchi Raymundo Kabchi Caroni Group (Bolivar State) 42 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela Zoed Karam Venezuelan Ambassador in Lebanon 11/14/2011 43 Venezuela Terrorism: Hezbollah 11/14/2011 44 Terrorism: Hezbollah in Venezuela 11/14/2011 45 Caracas Terrorist Summit Hezbollah – Hamas – Islamic Jihad Notes: • Internal Memorandum from Venezuelan embassy in Damascus reveals plans for terror meeting • Venezuelan and Iranian envoys met in May 2010 • Venezuelan “diplomat” sanctioned by US Treasury in 2008 for aiding Hezbollah attended 11/14/2011 46 Caracas Terrorist Summit Hezbollah – Hamas – Islamic Jihad Notes: • Original plan called for Chavez to meet Ahmadinejad and Nasrallah in Lebanon • Instead, terror leaders were hosted in Caracas in August 2010 11/14/2011 47 Caracas Terrorist Summit Hezbollah – Hamas – Islamic Jihad Khaled Meshaal Hamas 11/14/2011 48 Arms Trafficking Notes: • Francop Cargo Ship • Captured by the Israeli Navy • 500 Tons of Weapons: November 2009 11/14/2011 49 Arms Trafficking Notes: • Francop Cargo Ship • Captured by the Israeli Navy • 500 Tons of Weapons – November 2009 11/14/2011 50 Iran’s Connections in the Region Venezuela Main operating base in the region Panama Financial Sector Brazil Financial Sector and Uranium Ecuador Minerals Trade Honduras Maintenance facility for Iranian ‘tractors’ Bolivia Cement plant Argentina Financing of Joint Projects in Venezuela 11/14/2011 51 Iran’s Connections: Ecuador Notes: Bi-national agreement • with Ecuador concerning geological mining 11/14/2011 52 Iran’s Connections: Ecuador Notes: Ecuador Ministry of • Mining and Petroleum Iran Ministry of • Industry 11/14/2011 53 Iran’s Connections: Ecuador Notes: $28,973,680 payment • Dr. José Serrano Salgalo, • Under Secretary of Mines, Ecuador Sr. M.T. Korei, Vice- • Minister and Director of Geological and Mineral Exploration of the Islamic Republic of Iran 11/14/2011 54 Iran’s Connections: Argentina Notes: Venezuela, Argentina and • Iran 11/14/2011 55 Iran’s Connections: Argentina Notes: Venezuela, Argentina and • Iran 11/14/2011 56 Iran’s Connections: Argentina Notes: Venezuela, Argentina and • Iran From China Fund • 250 Million Dollars 11/14/2011 • 57 USA / Venuezuela Security Issues Threats: Iran’s radicalizing • influence in the Americas Nuclear technology • Uranium mining, source • of nuclear armament production Missile launch capability • and closeness to USA Hezbollah in Venezuela • Drug trafficking • USA southern border • insecurity Iran, the Americas Clear Threat: “The strong Iran • is ready for enemy-crushing and tough response in case of any illogical and violent behavior by the US.” Iranian Defense • Minister, Brig. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, while visiting Bolivia, June 1, 2011 Threat that Cannot be Exaggerated …..or Ignored ‘Street War’: “Iranian forces will fight with the enemies with maximum might and • power all throughout the European and U.S. soil, if Iran comes under Iranian parliamentarian, November 9, 2011 attack.” ‘IAEA says foreign expertise has brought Iran to threshold of nuclear capability’ “Intelligence provided to U.N. nuclear officials shows that Iran’s • government has mastered the critical steps needed to build a nuclear weapon, receiving assistance from foreign scientists to overcome key technical hurdles….” The Washington Post, November 8, 2011