The Israeli embassy in Montevideo has alerted Uruguay about Hezbollah’s increasing power in South America, as reported by Argentine news outlet Infobae.
Yigal Exdesman, the deputy head of the Israeli embassy, discussed at a local event how Iranian-backed groups collaborate closely with organized crime. He offered assistance in drafting legislation to identify groups that should be targeted.
This event was organized with the support of the Uruguay Center for Development Studies, and both the U.S. and EU embassies in Montevideo were involved. Exdesman pointed out that local authorities often underestimate the risks of terrorist threats, a misconception he believes could be dangerous.
“There’s a common belief of ‘Nothing happens here,’ but recent global events contradict that. We must recognize this isn’t the case anymore,” he said during his speech.
Hezbollah, according to Exdesman, is one of the most significant terrorist-organized crime groups globally, having bolstered its presence by partnering with criminal networks in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, focusing on cocaine trafficking and money laundering.
Exdesman emphasized that Hezbollah is now looking for alternate funding sources due to reduced financial support from their activities against Shiite jihadist groups in Israel.
When he spoke about Uruguay, he mentioned, “What’s the connection? It’s crucial because budget cuts in the Middle East ripple out, affecting South America. Hezbollah needs to strengthen ties with local organized crime for financial support.”
Hezbollah’s activity has been a concern for years, especially around the tri-border area where Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meet. Since 2024, Argentina’s President Javier Millei has taken steps to combat Hezbollah’s influence along this border. The group has previously been linked to significant attacks in Argentina against Jewish sites in the 1990s.
A recent report from U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) highlighted that poor governance, widespread corruption, and lax border controls have rendered the tri-border area a hotspot for illicit activities, allowing terrorist factions to operate with relative freedom. They observed that this region not only provides a reliable income for Hezbollah but also serves as a safe space for planning attacks.
“Hezbollah has entrenched itself in this unregulated region, establishing a comprehensive financial network that supports its global activities. Exploiting weak governance and corruption, it launders money from drug trafficking along with various criminal ventures, all part of a broader strategy for global influence,” the report indicated.
Infobae pointed out that unlike countries like Argentina, Paraguay, the U.S., and Israel, Uruguay has yet to label Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. In September, a proposal was made in the Uruguayan Congress for a national list of terrorist entities, with Senator Andres Ojeda stating that Hezbollah and Hamas would be prioritized if the bill passed.
“Right now, Uruguay is mostly following the United Nations’ list, which is problematic due to members like Russia and Iran not recognizing Hezbollah and Hamas,” Ojeda remarked in September.
