Iran, bolstered by Hezbollah, has intensified its illicit operations in South America across various nations. Security concerns are heightened, particularly in the Triple Border region and parts of Chile, where criminal networks are surging. Experts warn of the dangerous nexus between drug trafficking and terrorism, emphasizing the necessity for regional cooperation in intelligence-sharing to mitigate these threats.
Iran, with the backing of Hezbollah, has substantially broadened its operational capacity through illicit activities across Latin America, particularly in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay. In April, Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich announced heightened vigilance regarding Hezbollah’s activities in the Triple Border area (Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay) and parts of northern Chile, presenting related intelligence to Chile’s Minister of the Interior, Carolina Tohá. Noteworthy is the presence of the Barakat family, known to facilitate financial and logistical support for Hezbollah’s operations. Fabián Calle, an International Relations professor at Austral University in Argentina, remarked that Hezbollah has been documented in Latin America since the 1990s, indicating that the organization has expanded globally under the aegis of Lebanese communities created as a result of the Lebanese civil war (1975–1990). Moreover, political analyst Emanuele Ottolenghi asserted the existence of Hezbollah networks in Chile and Bolivia, emphasizing their exploitation of growing drug trafficking for laundering operations. In addition, intelligence agencies have observed the proliferation of criminal networks affiliated with Hezbollah outside the Triple Border region into Bolivia and Chile due to Iranian backing, threatening the global equilibrium. Iran perceives South America as a strategic opportunity to disseminate its revolutionary ideology, particularly due to the region’s proximity to the United States. Calle added that Hezbollah capitalizes on regions with weak institutional frameworks, engaging in illicit activities such as smuggling and terrorism planning. Further reports suggested that Hezbollah might also have a foothold in Bogotá, Colombia, operating through the Ahlul Beyt Islamic House, which serves as a community center and a potential front for expanding Iranian influence. Colombian media sources have indicated that drug trafficking revenues are a substantial financial resource for Hezbollah’s operations in the region. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña acknowledged a decrease in terrorist operations in the Triple Border, crediting improved intelligence measures but cautioned about the persistent nexus between organized crime and terrorism. Ely Karmon, a researcher specializing in counter-terrorism, stated that Hezbollah’s terrorist activities often stem from the Shiite communities dispersed globally, particularly in free trade zones in Latin America. Calle underscored the urgency for regional intelligence and security agencies to collaborate effectively in combating terrorism and drug trafficking. The recent alert from Argentina to Chile regarding suspicious financial movements linked to Hezbollah is pivotal for enhancing regional cooperation against such threats.
The topic at hand involves the infiltration of Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist organization, into South America, where illicit activities and drug trafficking are reportedly on the rise. The region, characterized by weak governmental structures and fragmented law enforcement, provides an advantageous landscape for such organizations to establish networks for various criminal activities. Past historical events, including the Lebanese civil war, have aided in the establishment of Lebanese diaspora communities in these areas, creating an environment of potential risk as it relates to terrorism and organized crime.
In conclusion, the growing presence of Hezbollah in South America represents a significant threat, as the organization seeks to leverage weak institutional frameworks and exploit illicit drug trafficking networks for financial gain. The concerns expressed by various security experts and government officials signal an urgent need for enhanced intelligence sharing and cooperative measures among Latin American countries to counteract the influence of terrorist groups in the region. Recent reports of increased activity underscore the importance of vigilance and proactive engagement in addressing these complex challenges.
Original Source: dialogo-americas.com
