US-sanctioned Venezuelan VP has alleged ties to Hezbollah

The US Department of Treasury in February slapped sanctions on newly designated Vice President of Venezuela, Tareck El-Aissami, amid accusations of money laundering and drug-trade charges. While he has dismissed those allegations, the VP's supposed ties with criminal elements including the Lebanese Hezbollah suggests that there may be more with him than meets the eye.El-Aissami was last January appointed President Nicolas Maduro's new deputy, replacing Aristobulo Isturiz who served only one year in office, in a surprising and significant political development in the south American nation. More…