Internet postings suggest Hezbollah cells may be active in Venezuela . Although the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which monitors anti-Jewish sentiments around the world, rejects Hezbollah’s presence in Venezuela, the possibility should be entertained, as President Hugo Chavez has declared his hostility to the Israeli government and his affinity to the Iranian government . Hezbollah cells have long been active in Latin America’s Tri-Border Region, although various indicators suggest that renewed efforts by Argentinean , Brazilian and Paraguayan law enforcement personnel against the lawless Tri-Border Region is forcing Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations to disperse their operations elsewhere.
Messages on two public forums discuss the moral and spiritual decay of the Venezuelan populace and the group’s desire to end the “idolization of sex, money and vice, which destroys the bases of the Venezuelan society,,” according to an MSN posting. The message goes on to discuss the means by which Hezbollah intends to alleviate these anti-Islamic values from the Venezuelan state: “It is necessary to extirpate the rotten sore of the corruption: social, moral, political and spiritual.”
The lack of subsequent, timely postings on open forums suggests a waning cadre of members and/or sympathizers in Venezuela; however, their presence, if not interest, in Venezuela should not be discounted.
Muslims in Venezuela
Although Venezuela is home to approximately 127,000 Muslims, the majority is of Lebanese and Syrian descent, leaving a possible link to Lebanon’s Hezbollah or its big brother, Syria. To date, authorities have no reports of the Muslim population engaging in terrorist behavior.
Margarita Island, a free-trade zone, is home to a sizable Arab population, and Loretta Napoleoni, author of Terror Inc.: Tracing the Dollars Behind Terror Networks, widely considers it a terrorist financial hub. Additionally, the piety of the Muslims on the island, although not indicative of Islamic extremism necessarily, should cause limited concern, considering the island’s shady financial operations.
Speculation concerning Hezbollah’s involvement in Venezuela’s robust narcotics trafficking enterprises is disconcerting to US interests in the country. Hezbollah finances a considerable portion of its terrorist operations via illegal narcotics trafficking. Venezuela’s rampant growth as a transit point for narcotics en route to the US is attributable to the criminalization of major elements of Venezuela’s National Guard Units . Hezbollah cells are adept at such operations from their vast experience with the heroin trade in the Bekaa Valley and current narco-operations in the Tri-Border Region.
Hezbollah Targeting Venezuela
The possible targeting of Israeli or US interests in Venezuela is unlikely, however, as such attacks could force Venezuelan government crackdowns on Hezbollah’s illicit activities. Activities in the Tri-Border, Venezuela, and Margarita Island provide substantial reward to Hezbollah’s core operations. Consequently, threats to US personnel and businesses in Venezuela are low. And, the future targeting of operations is unlikely, as Hezbollah would eliminate an invaluable financial sanctuary throughout the region by waking the proverbial sleeping giant.
