Given Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez's rhetoric and choice of friends, it's always a lingering thought in one's mind that maybe he's al—Qaida—friendly. There've been stories about him sending money to them after 9/11 but nothing concrete lately.

That's changed. Sunday, a Venezuelan general in exile charged that Chavez was harboring specific al—Qaida leaders in Venezuela. He also said Chavez was involved in uranium trafficking. His charges were corroborated by a former Venezuelan intelligence chief. Incredible as it sounds — it looks as though Chavez is intent on challenging us, giving succor to our worst enemies. Apparently, he's certain there'll be no price for him to pay for menacing us. He's betting that U.S.—American weakness will leave him a free hand to take over the rest of the hemisphere.

If what this general is saying is true, we could see significant shifts in the global balance of power. Read Aleksander Boyd's account of the men's statements and see the video he has here.

A.M. Mora y Leon   10 04 05