In this week’s News Roundup…A German newspaper reports on the alleged construction of Iranian missile bases in Venezuela; suspected drug lord Walid Makled reveals deals with several Venezuelan government subsidiaries; and Mr. Chávez is forced to implement energy rationing measures in an attempt to combat rolling blackouts, while the opposition gains momentum.

‘Die Welt’: Iran Building Rocket Bases in Venezuela, Jerusalem Post
German newspaper says Iranians paid cash to build mid-range missile launch pads on Paraguana Peninsula in Venezuela. According to the daily, Iranian engineers visited the site in February.

Makled had Deals with PDVAL and CASA, El Universal
The relationship between the Makled Group – the economic empire led by alleged drug kingpin Walid Makled – and state-run oil holding Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) was not limited to Venezuelan Petrochemical Corporation (Pequiven). It also made business in the food sector.

The FARC Enablers, Foreign Policy
When the Colombian military raided a camp of the narco-terrorist group FARC (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia) across the border in Ecuador in 2008, the resulting intelligence haul from computers belonging to FARC capo Raúl Reyes revealed the shocking extent to which the group conspired and colluded with the radical populist governments of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela and Rafael Correa in Ecuador.

Venezuela adopts electricity rationing measures in response to blackouts, The Washington Post
Venezuela’s government is urging people to save energy and has begun rolling blackouts in some parts of the country after two major power outages in the past month. Some units at thermoelectric plants have not been operating, and the government is taking steps to bring them back on line, Electrical Energy Ministry official Igor Gavidia said Thursday. Speaking to reporters, he acknowledged there are “weaknesses” in the country’s power plants. Vice President Elias Jaua urged Venezuelans to save energy, saying demand has been growing and at certain times of day power usage “reaches the electrical generation capacity.”

Venezuela: Chávez Trying to Eliminate Opponent, Hudson New York
The race for Venezuela’s presidential election has already started. Given the fact that Chávez controls the main media outlets, opposition candidates know that the competition will be very stiff and very unfair.