Just as the United States is undergoing a political transition of its own, Venezuela’s dubious regime has taken the provocative step of empowering an anti-U.S. hardliner with ties to narcotraffickers and Middle Eastern terrorism.

Many Americans may consider Venezuela’s collapsing economy, food shortages, and political upheaval as none of our business. However, the recent power grab of reputed drug kingpin and Hezbollah ally, Tareck el-Aissami, as Venezuela’s vice president poses a clear and present danger to the security of the United States and its neighbors.