US State Secretary Clinton Alarmed by China, Iran Gains in Latin America

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, has described the recent gains made by China and Iran in Latin America as "disturbing".

During a meeting of Foreign Service officers in the US State Department, Clinton alerted that nations such as China, Russia, and Iran were gaining influence in Latin America and establishing close relations with the leaders of Latin American states such as Venezuela and Bolivia, BGNES reported.

"If you look at the gains particularly in Latin America that Iran is making and China is making, it is quite disturbing. They are building very strong economic and political connections with a lot of these leaders," Clinton said.

Clinton has also defended the new Obama Administration approach of reaching out to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, which was recently epitomized by a handshake between President Obama and Chavez.

• 1