Congressman Stephen Lynch (MA-09), a Member of the House Subcommittee on National Security & Foreign Affairs, discussed the national security challenges stemming from U.S. reliance on foreign oil during the Subcommittee’s March 11, 2008 hearing entitled, "National Security & Latin America: Challenges and Opportunities on Energy Cooperation." The hearing examined the current and projected state of Latin America’s energy resources, as well as its implications for regional stability and national security. The Subcommittee received testimony from a variety of energy and Latin American policy experts, including Mr. David Goldwyn (President, Goldwyn International Strategies, LLC), Mr. Paul Sotero (Director, Brazil Institute of the Woodrow Wilson Center), Dr. Ray Walser, Ph.D. (Senior Latin American Policy Analyst, The Heritage Foundation), and Mr. Eric Farnsworth (Vice President, Council of the Americas and Member, Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy of the U.S. Department of State). Notably, Congressman Lynch questioned the witness panel regarding Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s reported support and funding of the terrorist organization, FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia) and the impact of Chavez’s involvement, if confirmed, on U.S. policy towards its fourth largest supplier of oil. If you would like to view hearing-related documents and links, please visit the Subcommittee’s website at https://nationalsecurity.oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=1793.

-30-