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Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6913276.ece
Israel and Iran Compete for Influence in Latin America
[Times-UK] Hannah Strange - Latin America has become the battleground for competing Middle East powers, whose leaders are criss-crossing the continent seeking support. President Peres of Israel, visiting Brazil, urged his hosts to resist the growing influence of Iran and Hizbullah in the region. President Ahmadinejad of Iran is planning a similar trip to Brazil and the region this month. Iran has developed strong alliances with a number of socialist governments, allied to Tehran by their hostility towards America. The importance of Latin America to Iran's strategic interest was underlined by Ahmadinejad, who boasted before the June elections: "When the Western countries were trying to isolate Iran, we went to the U.S. backyard."