Although U.S. policymakers face a variety of complex challenges in addressing transnational terrorism, one underappreciated aspect is Hezbollah’s evolving presence in Latin America. Academic literature and government reports almost universally indicate that Hezbollah’s activities in the region pose potential threats to U.S. national security. However, there is a significant knowledge gap in existing assessments. In this RAND paper, the author offers an initial exploration of Hezbollah’s operational footprint in Latin America, focusing on illicit funding mechanisms, violent operations, and key operational hubs — particularly in the Tri-Border Area and Venezuela. The analysis situates these activities within the broader context of Iran’s regional diplomatic, economic, and cultural activities, which partially facilitate conditions amenable to Hezbollah’s operations.
The author draws from a variety of open-source materials and reviews publicly available information to provide a foundation for understanding how Hezbollah’s networks in Latin America are characterized and discussed publicly. By analyzing the group’s operational strategies and historical precedents, the author’s framing identifies actionable considerations for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) leadership while raising awareness of the organization’s presence among a broader community of stakeholders. These findings are significant for both DHS and DoD, given the former’s counterterrorism mandate in Latin America and the latter’s strategic interests in the region. Hezbollah’s evolving presence warrants careful consideration from defense planners to effectively address potential challenges to U.S. interests and regional stability.
– Marzia Giambertoni, published courtesy of RAND.
