MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

CIA's “potentially” unstable countries list.

United States Central Intelligence Agency Director, Porter Goss identified Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti, Cuba and Mexico a countries “potentially” unstable in 2005.

These countries could become "conflicting points" this year said Mr. Goss during a hearing Wednesday before the Senate Intelligence Committee to identify the main threats posed to the United States.

However and in spite of mentioning several Latinamerican countries, Mr. Goss made it quite clear that the US number one enemy is the Al Qaeda terrorist network.

Regarding Venezuela Mr. Goss said that President Hugo Chavez is consolidating his grip over the country with tactics "technically legal" but weakening for the opposition and is also interfering in other regional countries with the support of Cuban president Fidel Castro.

Cuba is also of concern for the CIA because of what they describe as Mr. Castro's frail health (recalling last October's stumble on the floor) and the possible scenarios following his ousting from office.

In Colombia this year's electoral process could turn into a setback for advances achieved, under the leadership of President Alvaro Uribe, combating terrorism and the organized narcotics trade.

Mr. Goss emphasized that organizations such as the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces, FARC, "have a major capacity and the purpose of threatening US interests in the region".

Haiti figures in the list because the legitimacy prospects of the coming November elections are considered "quite turbulent".

Finally Mexico faces the launching of the 2006 presidential election campaign which could have an impact in Congressional activity and the reforms process in the fiscal, labour and energy fields, forecasts the CIA.