UPDATE 1-Iranian president courts Latin American leftists

(Recasts with visit to Venezuela)

By Eduardo Garcia and Saul Hudson

LA PAZ/CARACAS, Sept 27 (Reuters) - U.S. foe Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad courted leftist Latin American leaders on Thursday, visiting Bolivia and Venezuela to strengthen ties in a region where anti-American sentiment is on the rise.

Ahmadinejad said the two host nations, as well as others in the area that are led by leftists, such as Cuba, Nicaragua and Ecuador, were united with Iran in a worldwide revolutionary movement.

"When we stand together, without doubt we multiply our powers," he said in a speech in Caracas with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at his side.

Deeply at odds with the West over its nuclear program, Iran has won influence in Latin America as leftists have gained some momentum in the region and railed against Washington on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to free trade to climate change.

This week at the United Nations, Ahmadinejad defended Iran's nuclear development as major powers debated imposing further sanctions to isolate the Islamic republic for refusing to curb its activities.

Iran says its programs are to generate electricity. The United States accuses it of enriching uranium in pursuit of an atomic bomb, raising fears the West might use military force to thwart Iran's ambitions if diplomacy fails.

Chavez is also a U.S. antagonist. He skipped the U.N. meeting in New York this time but a year ago he mocked President George W. Bush as the devil in his speech to the General Assembly.