Iranian influence in Latin America

From Defense Aerospace

Iranian Influence, Terrorist Links, Threaten Latin American Security

(Source: US Department of Defense; issued March 17, 2009)

WASHINGTON --- Iran is increasing its presence in Latin America, and Hezbollah, a terrorist organization it sponsors, is making inroads in drug trafficking in Colombia, the commander of U.S. Southern Command told Congress today.

Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis told the House Armed Services Committee he shares concerns expressed by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates about Iranian activity in Central and South America. Iran has opened six embassies in the region during the past five years and is promoting Islamic activities in the region.

“That is of concern, principally because of the connection between the government of Iran, which is a state sponsor of terrorism, and Hezbollah,” Stavridis said today. “We see a great deal of Hezbollah activity throughout South America, in particular.”

Much of that activity takes place in the tri-border area of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and in the Caribbean.

Stavridis noted in his written statement that Southcom supported a Drug Enforcement Administration operation in the tri-border area last August that targeted a Hezbollah-connected drug trafficking organization.

Two months later, Southcom supported another interagency operation in which several dozen people were arrested in Colombia for ties to a Hezbollah-connected drug trafficking and money laundering ring.

Despite big successes in professionalizing the Colombian military and helping it deal with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, Southcom has witnessed a direct connection there between Hezbollah and drug trafficking in Colombia, Stavridis told the committee.

He noted the direct link between the illicit drug trade and the terrorist groups it bankrolls, noting the threat posed by Islamic radical terrorism.

“Indentifying, monitoring and dismantling the financial, logistical and communication linkages between illicit trafficking groups and terrorist sponsors are critical to not only ensuring early indications and warnings of potential terrorist attacks directed at the United States and our partners, but also in generating a global appreciation and acceptance of this tremendous threat to security,” he said.

Stavridis called Colombia – the major global source of cocaine and home of the FARC – pivotal in the fight to stop illicit traffickers at the source.

Continued support to Colombia to help it in this endeavor will pay big dividends for the region and for the United States, he said.

“Providing resources and investments to improve the Colombian military, along with enhancing our interagency capabilities, will build the capacity to integrate and share information with U.S. and international counter-narcotic organizations,” he said. “Our interagency support efforts will directly improve regional and hemispheric security.” (ends)

US Military Commander Warns of Iran-Hezbollah Influence in Latin America

(Source: Voice of America news; issued March 17, 2009)

WASHINGTON --- The commander of U.S. forces in Latin America says the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is involved in drug trafficking in Colombia. The admiral is worried about increased Iranian and Hezbollah activities throughout the region.

At Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday Admiral James Stavridis accused Hezbollah of involvement in the drug trade.

"We have seen in Colombia a direct connection between Hezbollah activity and the narco-trafficking activity," he said.

The admiral's comment came in response to a question from a senator seeking more information about concerns first raised by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates before the same committee in January. The secretary accused Iran of engaging in what he called "subversive" activity in several places in Latin America. He called newly-opened Iranian offices in Central and South America "fronts" for interfering in local affairs.

Admiral Stavridis, who heads U.S. Southern Command, noted what he called "an increase in a wide level of activity by the Iranian government," including the opening of six new embassies in Latin America during the last five years, and what he called "proselytizing and working with Islamic activities throughout the region."

"That is of concern principally because of the connections between the government of Iran, which is a state sponsor of terrorism, and Hezbollah," he said. "We see a great deal of Hezbollah activity throughout South America, in particular. [The] tri-border of Brazil is a particular concern, as in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, as well as [other] parts of Brazil and in the Caribbean Basin."

Admiral Stavridis said the United States has good cooperation with the tri-border countries and that it receives what he called a "reasonable level" of information about what goes on there. But, he said, there are no U.S. military personnel in the area.

The admiral also spoke about Venezuela during his testimony. He said the United States does not have a good understanding of what the government of President Hugo Chavez intends to do with his growing military and strong relationship with Russia. But Stavridis said reduced revenues from the fall in the price of oil will affect Venezuela's ability to continue its high level of arms purchases from Russia, and to maintain and operate its new, expensive weapons systems.