Is Hezbollah active in South America? If so what is the connection? Why and what are they doing so far away from their host country?
Only yesterday U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo spoke about the presence of the Iranian proxy's presence in Latin America.
Source: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/hezbollah-is-real-threat-in-south-america-pompeo/1709602#
Our research has identified at least two networks associated with Hezbollah growing at an alarming rate in Latin America. One is operated by Hezbollah itself, aided by its collaborators, particularly from Venezuela. Another is managed by a cadre of notorious operatives on behalf of the Iranian Qods Force. These networks conduct fund-raising, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, proselytization, recruitment, and training in the Americas. We can identify more than 80 operatives in at least 12 countries throughout the region, with the greatest areas of concern being Brazil, Venezuela, and the Southern Cone.
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg72255/html/CHRG-112hhrg72255.htm
They seem to be pretty active considering that they have 80 operatives in at least 12 countries in the region. That report was written in 2011.
While Hezbollah remains very active in South America, authorities in several countries now work together, across borders, targeting Hezbollah activities. In recent years, authorities have thwarted Hezbollah plots in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, and Panama. And in 2019, Argentina formally designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and froze its assets. The designation was the first by any country in Latin America, but was followed in short order by Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/media/5379
More recently, a former Wexler Fellow, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, commented in 2023 that Hezbollah is very active in South America.
They're mainly there to finance their operations and carry out terrorist activity against Israel.
there is an active Lebanese community in South America, due to Lebanon recent history (Civil war) and lack of resources Lebanese community exist all around the world. and their political dogmas goes with them.
as Venezuela's government is in opposition to the US policy, it got closer to Iran, and as such, trying to smear them with link to Hezbollah which they invested a lot of Demonetization propaganda pays dividends
even if Hezbollah is active in south America, it has political army (with members in the Lebanese government)which act like any other political party gathering supporters et al
