The Islamic Republic of Iran constitutes a significant challenge to the United States and the War on Terror today. Throughout 2006 and into 2007, Iran?s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has developed political, economic, and military alliances in Latin America.
A Bridge to South America
Iranian efforts to increase alliances with leftist governments are designed to strengthen its relationships with anti-US governments that could support Iran as it fends off international efforts to halt its nuclear development program. Consequently, Ahmadinejad toured Latin America in search of an alliance of ?revolutionary countries?, referring to Venezuela , Nicaragua , Bolivia , and Ecuador . He arrived on January 13 in the Caracas where President Hugo Chavez, his closest ally in Latin America, personally welcomed him. The following day, Chavez has defended Iran?s right to develop nuclear energy. Ahmadinejad traveled to Managua, where he met with Daniel Ortega, the newly elected president, who is less of a revolutionary than Chavez. Ahmadinejad?s trip ended on January 15 when he met Bolivia?s populist president Evo Morales. Morales spoke with Ahmadinejad about forming an energy alliance between Iran, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Later that day, Ahmadinejad witnessed the presidential inauguration of Rafael Correa in Quito.
The growth of relations between Cuba and Iran has been under way for some years prior to Ahmadinejad?s ascendancy in 2005. Cuba has assisted Iran in building a genetic laboratory, and Iran has made use of an electronic jamming station outside Havana to block US-based dissident broadcasts. Further, Cuba?s President Fidel Castro and Ahmadinejad allegedly want to halt the proliferation of nuclear weapons, but they emphasize their sovereign right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Looking Forward
Iran remains the world?s most active sponsor of terrorism, fueling the activities of Hamas , the Palestinian Islamic Jihad , and Hezbollah , the latter of which has a footprint in Latin America?s Tri-Border Region . Through its nuclear advances and its expanding conventional military, Iran is increasingly capable of altering the balance of power beyond its immediate borders through regional proxies. Growing frustration with the US in Latin America has given Iran an opportunity to expand its influence in the region.
Iran will try to preserve its burgeoning relationships with leftist governments in Latin America, focusing primarily on economic and infrastructure investment, rather than weapons and nuclear programs. Through this investment, Iran will demonstrate its physical and monetary benevolence to developing, anti-imperialistic nations.
