Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite organisation, operates on two distinct levels. In Lebanon, it is a dominant political and military force, while internationally, it sustains a network of fundraising, logistics, and influence spanning continents like Africa and South America. While Israel continues to challenge Hezbollah’s military power in Lebanon, the organisation’s global operations remain a pressing, unresolved issue.
The Tri-Border Area (TBA), where Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay meet, is a focal point for Hezbollah’s operations. This region, known for its weak border controls and entrenched corruption, is a haven for organised crime. Hezbollah exploits the TBA’s chaotic environment to fundraise through money laundering, smuggling, and connections to criminal enterprises.
The United States has identified the TBA as a critical financial hub for Hezbollah. Authorities have tracked millions of dollars flowing through this area to the organisation, enabling its operations in Lebanon. Furthermore, the region’s black markets generate approximately $18 billion annually, with a significant portion linked to illicit activities that Hezbollah taps into. Arrests of individuals like Assad Barakat, a Hezbollah financier, highlight the scale and reach of this network .
Hezbollah’s influence in South America is not confined to fundraising. Its involvement in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people, underscores its capacity to carry out terror attacks. Despite accusations from Argentine prosecutors linking the attack to Hezbollah with Iranian support, the group’s operations in the region persist, albeit under increasing scrutiny .
In Africa, Hezbollah capitalises on the Lebanese diaspora and weak state governance to establish financial networks. West Africa, in particular, has become a hotspot for Hezbollah’s fundraising efforts. Businesses tied to the organisation engage in trade-based money laundering and the illicit trafficking of precious resources like diamonds and gold.
African countries like Sierra Leone and Guinea have been identified as key regions where Hezbollah-linked entities operate. U.S. sanctions have targeted individuals and businesses involved in these activities, aiming to disrupt the flow of funds. However, the deeply embedded nature of these networks and the corruption prevalent in many African states make enforcement challenging .
Hezbollah’s reliance on organised crime for funding extends across its global network. In South America, the group has established ties with Brazil’s largest drug cartel, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). This partnership facilitates the smuggling of arms and narcotics, generating significant revenue for Hezbollah. Similar patterns are observed in Africa, where the group engages in smuggling and contraband activities to fund its operations.
These criminal enterprises not only finance Hezbollah but also provide logistical support, enabling the organisation to maintain its military capabilities and social programs in Lebanon.
Despite the evident threat posed by Hezbollah’s global operations, the international response has been inconsistent. In South America, only a few countries, such as Argentina and Paraguay, have designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation. Brazil, a key player in the TBA, has been hesitant to take similar steps, citing insufficient evidence. This reluctance undermines regional efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s networks.
In Africa, enforcement challenges are compounded by corruption and limited state capacity. While countries like the United States have imposed sanctions, these measures often fail to address the root causes enabling Hezbollah’s activities. For instance, local authorities frequently lack the resources or political will to investigate and dismantle complex financial networks .
To effectively counter Hezbollah’s global network, a unified and coordinated strategy is essential. This approach must go beyond targeted sanctions to include capacity-building for local enforcement agencies, enhanced intelligence sharing, and international pressure on nations hesitant to act.
Global collaboration is crucial, particularly in regions where Hezbollah’s activities intersect with transnational crime. Disrupting its financial networks in Africa and South America would significantly weaken the organisation, limiting its ability to sustain operations in Lebanon and beyond.
While Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon is a critical effort to curb the group’s military power, it addresses only one facet of the problem. Hezbollah’s global operations, deeply entrenched in regions like Africa and South America, remain a significant threat. These networks fund terrorism, destabilise local economies, and enable the group’s continued influence on the international stage.
Addressing Hezbollah’s global reach requires a holistic approach that integrates financial oversight, regional cooperation, and robust enforcement mechanisms. Without such measures, Hezbollah will continue to exploit the vulnerabilities of an interconnected world, posing risks not just to the Middle East but to global security as a whole.
