Fears run high that Venezuela could become a base of operations for Hizbullah, the Los Angeles Times has reported.

It said Western anti-terrorism officials say they are concerned Hizbullah may use Venezuela as a base of operations.

It quoted a U.S. government terrorism expert as saying that Hizbullah may try to take advantage of Venezuela's ties with Iran to move "people and things" into the Americas.

As part of his anti-American foreign policy, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has established warm diplomatic relations with Iran and has traveled there several times.

The paper said the U.S. administration, Israel and other governments worry that Venezuela is emerging as a base for anti-U.S. militant groups and spy services, including Hizbullah and its Iranian allies.

Others recall Hizbullah was linked to the deadly attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina in the early 1990s, the Los Angeles Times said.

"It's becoming a strategic partnership between Iran and Venezuela," the paper quoted one Western anti-terrorism official as saying.