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Iran and Hizbullah Remain Hyperactive in Latin America
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Matthew Levitt - Iran and Hizbullah remain hyperactive in Latin America - a fact that has the full attention of U.S. intelligence officials. Iranian presence in the region expanded from just a handful of missions to twelve by 2010. Alberto Nisman, an Argentine prosecutor who was killed while investigating the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, brought worldwide attention to Hizbullah operations in Latin America as directed by Iran. He released a report specifically warning the authorities of Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, and Colombia to be vigilant of Iranian infiltration. In light of their long history of menacing behavior in South America, and given the increased tempo and nature of their malign activities in the region, it is critical that the necessary attention and resources be devoted to tracking and countering the threats posed by Iran and Hizbullah. The writer is director of The Washington Institute's Stein Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.