Hezbollah is relying more on its overseas financial networks as Iran faces economic strain, US experts told a Senate hearing on Tuesday, warning that the group could deepen its activities in Venezuela and across Latin America.
“Hezbollah has a long history of turning to its diaspora networks when it’s facing financial stress,” analyst Matthew Levitt said.
He told senators that while Iran continues to support the group, “it is having a much harder time getting that money to Hezbollah in a timely manner.”
Lawmakers described Venezuela as a growing hub for Hezbollah’s drug and finance operations.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate International Narcotics Control Caucus, said the group “is one of Iran’s tools to destabilize and terrorize,” adding that “if we target Hezbollah’s financing, we can deny them the opportunity to rebuild.”
Levitt said Hezbollah has operated in Latin America for nearly five decades, cultivating ties with traffickers and using illicit trade networks to move money.
“If you need big money real fast, you turn to illicit activities and especially to narcotics trafficking,” he said.
Several senators urged a tougher US response to Venezuela’s cooperation with Iran.
Senator Bernie Moreno said the Maduro government’s actions “meet the legal standard” to be labeled a state sponsor of terrorism and warned that “Maduro should know his days are numbered.”
Witnesses also called on Latin American governments to follow the lead of Argentina, Colombia, and Paraguay in designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, saying it would help disrupt its financial activity and weaken Tehran’s influence in the region.
