War of Dynastic Ambitions? Connie Mack Calls Out Joe Kennedy over Hugo Chavez

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Connie Mack took aim at the scion of another political dynasty on Monday when he called out former Massachusetts U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy for his ties to Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez.

Through his Citizens Energy Corp., Kennedy has been leading efforts, including running commercials, focusing on a charitable effort that CITGO has launched with the Venezuelan government for charitable ventures in the United States -- which critics like Mack contend helps bolster Chavezs image.

I am writing to you again, as I did in 2007, for you to immediately cease your new ad campaign in support of Venezuelan world-class dictator Hugo Chavez, a man who suppresses the basic human rights of his people and has recently formed a strategic military alliance with Iran which threatens the security of the U.S. in our own backyard, wrote Mack. What you are doing is disgraceful, shameful, and against the interests of the American people.

At a time when the world is demonstrating unrest with dictators such as Chavez, you are allowing your name and image to be used to cover over the anti-American interests of Chavez. I would think you, of all people, would also not let yourself be duped by Chavez, added Mack. Only you can answer the question as to why: for the money, for the craving for the spotlight? I would imagine there would be many avenues at your disposal to help the needy instead of allying yourself with Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

In this month of February alone, Hugo Chavez is shipping two cargoes of gasoline to Iran in direct violation of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions Accountability and Disinvestment Act of 2010, so in effect what your campaign purports to do is turn a blind eye to U.S. law and use the profits of the sale of gas to Iran to fund your pro-Chavez campaign and line your pockets, continued Mack, before taking a shot by invoking the Kennedy family legacy. This is certainly not a Profile In Courage.

As chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee I will soon be calling for a joint State Department/Treasury Department task force to investigate illegal activity engaged in by Venezuelan officials and Venezuelan-owned PDVSAs involvement in Irans energy sector, added Mack.

During the course of these investigations it would be informative for the American people to know how much Iranian money is being spent for your services and the ad campaign in support of Hugo Chavez. The American people and I anxiously await your response.

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