Germany banned all activities of the Lebanese Hezbollah group on its soil, and classified it as a “terrorist organization,” and this decision was taken by many countries in Latin America, in order to besiege the influence of Hezbollah in the Western Hemisphere, so that the Latin continent would thus be an important axis in the framework of the American-Iranian confrontation and a main party In the war on terror of Hezbollah.
The pressure exerted on the Lebanese Hezbollah organization increased significantly, as some countries classified it as a “terrorist organization”, as Argentina classified the “largest Latin American country” Hezbollah as a terrorist, followed by Paraguay, Brazil, Guatemala and Honduras..
Argentina
Former President Mauricio Macri designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, as he was accused of involvement in two previous attacks and was responsible for planting a bomb that killed 85 people and wounded 300 others, and the second targeted the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and caused 29 deaths, she said. Argentine newspaper “Infobay”.
Under the presidential decree in which the organization was classified as a terrorist organization, the authorities said that Hezbollah continues to threaten the security and integrity of Argentina’s economic and financial system..
Argentina is considered the first country to take this type of action, which was considered an act as an incentive for other countries that witnessed an increase in the terrorist presence within their borders..
The party carried out two terrorist operations in Argentina, the first on March 17, 1992, against the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires, killing 29 people and wounding 242 others, and the second terrorist operation took place on July 18, 1994, targeting the building of the Argentine-Jewish Friendship Association in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people and wounding more than 300 others.
The Argentine government held Hezbollah responsible for these two bombings, and called on the Iranian authorities to cooperate with the relevant authorities in Argentina.
Paraguay
Paraguay followed in the footsteps of Argentina and described Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, and Paraguay President Mario Abdo Benítez said that his country is taking the same step to support the global war against terrorism..
The United States of America praised Paraguay’s move, by its Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, stressing that this step would help cut off the ability of these groups to plan terrorist attacks and raise funds in all parts of the world, including the Western Hemisphere..
Several experts said, “The decisions of Argentina and Paraguay to designate Hezbollah a terrorist organization and freeze its assets, would provide the legal basis for taking the necessary measures to besiege the money laundering activities that the party relies on to finance its operations, which will cause the party to double the financial pressures, especially With the American sanctions imposed on him. “
The Argentine newspaper “El Comerthio” added that this decision could also contribute to restricting the movement of Hezbollah cells and monitoring their destabilizing activities in the Western Hemisphere.
Venezuela
At a time when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro allows relations with Hezbollah, the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, Juan Guaido, announced that his country has classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, thus breaking Maduro’s position, according to the Argentine newspaper, Clarin..
Colombia
Colombian President Ivan Duque announced that Hezbollah will enter the list of terrorist organizations in Colombia, after we saw the presence of terrorist party cells in neighboring countries such as Venezuela.
The Colombian president held discussions with the presidential advisor for national security, Rafael Guaren, about the evidence that prompted the government to make this statement, and the inclusion of Hezbollah in the list of terrorist organizations, according to the Colombian newspaper, “Colombiano”.
Guaren said that he “cannot provide evidence about Hezbollah’s condemnation of terrorist operations, because it is intelligence information,” noting that Colonel John Marulanda devoted several years to studying Hezbollah in order to prepare his book “Terrorism in Latin America”, where testimonies of members were collected The party is in Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean.
He mentioned that the members of that organization are present in Latin America with two main tasks: to develop intelligence on potential targets for North America, and to obtain economic resources.
Marulanda emphasized that “Hezbollah’s presence in Latin America is its largest in the world after the Middle East, because it benefits from three things: lack of border controls, corruption and impunity.
Brazil
Brazil is considered one of the countries that are considering making a decision, and diplomatic sources indicated that Brazil has begun a serious review of including the Lebanese organization on terrorist lists, banning its activities in the country, confiscating its money and property, and arresting its members..
According to the sources, the Brazilian authorities had previously arrested Asaad Ahmed Barakat, who is considered one of the major financiers of the organization, in a clear reference to the escalation path towards Iran and its allies, especially after the great political change that Brazil witnessed with the arrival of the closest candidate to the United States after decades of control. Anti-American Left Parties.
The newspaper added that other countries must be encouraged to follow the example of the countries that classified it as a terrorist party, as this has a domino effect across the continent.
The expert, Joseph Homer, said, “Classifying Hezbollah as a terrorist organization is not a political declaration but a legal tool in the hands of governments to fight the terrorist organization effectively, and it allows them to obtain clear and strong resources to arrest its members, curb its freedom of movement and obstruct the easy way to prepare any attacks. According to the Chilean newspaper, El Tempo.
On the other hand, the newspaper “Colombiano” said that Hezbollah’s tentacles extend to the highest levels of the Venezuelan government, especially during the reign of the late President Hugo Chavez and still are, as Hezbollah paid bribes to Venezuelan border security officers and law enforcement officials through members of Hezbollah or from Their agents remain on Venezuelan soil, as well as through multiple personalities who manage drug trafficking and corruption, the most important of which is the current Minister of Oil, Tariq Al-Esmy, who held the position of Vice President earlier, and the governor of the state of Aragua, who is very close to Hezbollah and who opened the doors to suspicious dealings with the organization The terrorist Hezbollah, Interior Minister Nestor Riverol, and the Venezuelan smuggler of Lebanese origin Walid Makled.
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