Iran Helping Venezuela with Nukes?

It's a scary thought, but the Houston Chronicle has some worrying developments with Venezuela (hat tip: Regime Change Iran). Venezuela's Hugo Chavez has recently hosted Iranian president Khatami, which is troublesome enough. Writing for the Chronicle, Douglas Mackinnon, former press secretary for Sen. Bob Dole notes:

During a private meeting between Chavez and Khatami, I was told, Chavez made it known to the Iranian leader that he would like to "introduce nuclear elements into Venezuela." My contact said "nuclear elements" meant "nuclear weapons."

Standing side by side with Khatami in Caracas, Chavez said, "Iran has every right to develop atomic energy and to continue research in that area. ... Faced with the threat of the U.S. government against our brother people in Iran, count on us for all our support."

Venezuela is a sworn enemy of the United States and will have to be dealt with sooner or later. A nuclear weapon in Iran is one thing (which I still don't believe the U.S. or Israel will permit); a nuclear weapon in Venezuela will not happen, regardless of the means to prevent it.