Iran in Latin America
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Highlighted Story: “An Update on Iran’s Activities in Latin America” by David Witter
Chavez and Ahmadinejad
Six years after President Bush’s 2002 State of the Union address, the United States may be facing a new Axis of Evil. Iran has been courting leftist political regimes throughout Latin America, using anti-American sentiment as the foundation for improving economic, political, and possibly military ties in the Western hemisphere. The increasingly strong alliance between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and leaders of the so-called New Latin Left could develop into a serious security threat in the near future. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appears to be the linchpin of this alliance. US interests could be threatened by either the Islamic terrorist groups active on the continent or by the ramifications of regional economic and political exclusion. Both of these possible avenues pass through Venezuela on their way to Iran, the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.
After enduring the most deadly attack on the continental United States since Pearl Harbor, the American government has worked tirelessly to ensure safety at home from Islamic terrorism. However, the pervasiveness of Islamic terrorist organizations in Latin America adds a new layer to this threat. Hezbollah prior to 9/11, responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist organization has been the most active Islamic terrorist group in Latin America. That Iran supplies Hezbollah with money and arms makes their presence in our backyard all the more threatening.
Logo of the “Party of Allah” in Chavez’s Venezuela
Hezbollah has been operating in Latin America since the early 1990’s. In Buenos Aires in 1992 and 1994 the Israeli embassy and Jewish Community Center respectively were both bombed. While no one has been brought to justice for these acts of terrorism, arrest warrants were issued to prominent members of Hezbollah and the Iranian government. One warrant for these attacks was issued in 1999 for Imad Mugniyah, a Hezbollah military commander also responsible for the 1983 US Embassy bombings and the 1985 hijacking of TWA flight 847. Seven years later, Argentinian prosecutor Alberto Nisman indicted Iranian President Rafsanjani and seven other Iranian officials in absentia for masterminding the attacks, reinforcing the link between Iran and Hezbollah in Latin America.
Hezbollah continued to be active a decade later in the frontier region known as the Tri-Border Area (TBA) that spans the borders of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. US Southern Command estimates that Islamist terror groups based there raise between $300-500 million a year. One such financier was Assad Ahmad Barakat, currently serving a six and half year sentence in Paraguay for tax evasion following his arrest in La Ciudad del Este. He was considered to be a deputy to Hezbollah finance director Ali Kazam, as well as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s primary liaison in the TBA. Barakat used two businesses as cover to generate over $50 million that was then transferred to Hezbollah in Lebanon. He was also involved in a counterfeiting ring that distributed fake American dollars throughout the TBA. Some believe that Barakat was a client of Mugniyah, who is thought to have established terrorist cells in la Ciudad Del Este.
This threat can only increase as Iran continues to strengthen its partnership with Venezuela. Hezbollah is known to have a strong presence in Venezuela. The US military’s Southern Command has reported that there are several Hezbollah support and logistics cells on Isla de Margarita, a Venezuelan island home to a large Lebanese expatriate community. These cells have already demonstrated intent to infiltrate the United States; it is suspected that the members of a Hezbollah cell arrested in North Carolina in 1992 were assisted by a support unit in Isla de Margarita. Additionally, there are concerns of a home-grown Hezbollah faction operating in Venezuela.
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Main News:
- NEWS FLASH I: Venezuelan former Defense Minister reports assassination attempt . Venezuela confirms investigation of ex-defense minister. NEWS FLASH II: Chavez spends U$33 billion on regional influence. New Hampshire accepts cheap oil from Venezuela. Chvez arrives in Moscow to buy arms. Chvez: “Russian troops would be welcome in Venezuela.” Chvez heads for Belarus to meet with his “friend” Lukashenko. Russia’s Lukoil seeks energy deals with Venezuela.
- Ecuador looks to Iran and China in new oil refinery. Ecuador dismisses Venezuela’s mediation in clashes with Colombia.
- NEWS FLASH III: When Mrs. Kirchner’s resignation became a real option . Mrs. Kirchner cancels export tax; farmers’ conflict “is over.” Aides quit in Argentina tax crisis.
- FARC rejects peace talks and promises to fight on.
- Bush Makes Renewed Push for Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Colombian army kills 20 FARC terrorists in air raid.
- Russia May Send Military Aircraft Back to Cuba, Izvestiya Says.
- Chilean aide admits risk of loosing to conservatives.
- Colombia : Uribe clears the ground for a possible third mandate.
- Judge orders suspension of Bolivia referendum; government says it will go forward. Venezuela gives Bolivia four corn and plastics plants.
- Brazil: Petrobras workers preparing nationwide strike in August.
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Nancy Menges
Editor in Chief – “Americas Report”
Nicole M. Ferrand
Editor – “Americas Report”
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