Thus US strikes in Venezuela may harm the activities of Iran and Hezbollah

Venezuela is a country with great potential thanks to the most extensive oil reserves in the world within its territory, twice as large as that of its close friend Iran. However, during Maduro’s presidency, the country deteriorated into a deep crisis. Thus, for example, the GDP of Venezuela in 2012 was about 372.6 billion dollars, while today it is about 79.9 billion dollars. On the other hand, the drug industry there has grown: according to Washington’s estimate, about 500 tons of cocaine are exported from Venezuela to Europe and the US every year.

Therefore, one of Trump’s first steps in the second term of his presidency was to define several drug cartels as terrorist organizations, including the de los Sols cartel. According to Washington, Maduro is the person leading it. The huge international drug trade from Venezuela led the Americans in August to double the reward on his head to 50 million dollars and to send an especially large task force to the region.

An essential role for Hezbollah

In the US in particular and in the Western world in general, they understand that in the absence of outside aid, Maduro was unable to manipulate the cartel. Accordingly, the Fox News network defined the American attacks as “a campaign to neutralize the growing drug empire of Iran and Hezbollah in Venezuela.”

Brian Townsend, a DEA (American Drug Enforcement Agency) agent, told the American channel that Hezbollah’s role in the system is hardly visible, but it is essential. “They launder money and provide networks that will help the cartels move money through the Middle East. They receive a share of the drug trade, which finances their activities.”

Hezbollah’s activity in Latin America is not new. This began in the 1990s through the Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina border triangle, and was revealed to all with the attack against the building of the Organization of Jewish Communities in Argentina (AMIA) in July 1994. Those who believe in Hezbollah’s international terrorist activities from that time to the present day are Unit 910. The unit was founded by Imad Mo’anieh, which Israel destroyed in Damascus in 2008. Today its commander is Talal Hamia, on whose head the US placed a reward of 7 million dollars.

The narcotics sector is involved in the terrorist activity of unit 910. According to the American research institute “The Atlantic Council”, of the more than 2,000 people and entities that the US government has designated as international drug lords until 2020, nearly 200 were Hezbollah members or those linked to the Shiite terrorist organization. However, there is no international activity of Hezbollah that is not carried out with the consent of Iran or in cooperation with it. One of the well-known expressions of this is Iran’s presence in Venezuela In particular and in Latin America in general – where it operates 11 embassies.

The connection to Iran

Iran’s interest in the region can be learned, among other things, from the Hispan TV channel, which has been operating the Ayatollah regime in Spanish for 14 years. The main common denominator between Iran and Venezuela is that they are isolated on the international level. That is why they manage a routine that includes joint operations to bring their oil to the world market, and to exchange oil products.

The AS/COA organization notes that Iranian sources reported that trade with Venezuela was 3 billion dollars in 2023. However, the security cooperation between the Ayatollah regime and his counterpart in the security aspect is broader. Both countries define their opposition to the US as “anti-imperialism”, and both supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Maduro’s status in the eyes of the Ayatollah regime is an integral part of the resistance axis. In a poster previously published by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s office, he was placed next to figures such as Nasrallah. About three years ago, during a visit to Tehran, Maduro defined Venezuela as part of the resistance axis which “exists all over the world”.

Security sponsorship

Maduro’s interests in the vicinity of Iran and Hezbollah do not amount to an illegal economy or a political relationship, but also to security protection. Officers from the Revolutionary Guards are stationed in Caracas, and influence the area. This was evident in June 2022, when a Venezuelan-owned transport plane carrying five Iranians, a commander and members of the Quds Force was arrested in Argentina. In “National Security” it was reported last year that Iran had established production facilities for stray weapons in Venezuela.

The presence of the Revolutionary Guards in Venezuela also endangers the United States. In 2021, the American authorities succeeded in foiling a plot to kidnap the exiled Iranian journalist Mesih Alingjad from her home in New York and transfer her to Venezuela and from there to Iran.

Even today, the US is well aware of the benefits that Maduro, Iran and Hezbollah derive from their relationship. “Iran, the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah have a presence in South America,” noted Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an interview with the Fox network. “One of their foci is Venezuela – the place where they planted their flag in our hemisphere, with the full and open cooperation of the regime.”