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This week, the deadly U.S. strike was launched by experts, the latest move in the broader movement to tear down Iran and Hezbollah in the growing Nalco empire in Venezuela.
Tren de Aragua works closely with the Sun Cartel – Venezuela Network Military elites have long been accused of working with Hezbollah to relocate cocaine.
White House spokesman Anna Kelly told Fox News numbers, “President Trump has taken many actions to reduce terrorist agents from Iranian terrorists such as Hezbollah, such as approving senior officials and financial hosts. The president proves that he will threaten our country’s national security by putting any terrorists accountable by putting any terrorists in charge.
Retired DEA Agent Brian Townsend told Fox News Digital, “This is a decisive blow to the Narco-Terrorists,” and said The role of Hezbollah Rarely seen, but essential: “They didn’t get their hands dirty. Instead, they laundered money and provided networks to help cartels send money in the Middle East. In short, they cut from the drug deal and then funded their operations in the Middle East.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) met with Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) at a meeting of the “Gas Exporting Countries Forum” (GECF) in Maduro on November 23, 2015. (Press Office/Anadolu Agent/Getty Images)
Townsend added that Hezbollah has become “the main financial and money launderer of terrorist groups like Tren de Aragua”, ensuring cocaine moves when facilitating Hezbollah’s promotions are often dealing with part of the gains.
Dani Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at the Israeli National Security Institute, said Hezbollah’s coverage depends largely on the Lebanese diaspora in the region. “Most of Shia diaspora is Lebanese in Central and South America, at least in Central and South America,” he told Fox News Digital. “Hezbollah is the connector between diaspora and Iran.”
Citrinowicz said the group uses family relations, language and community agencies to consolidate its impact in Latin America. “They appointed Imams, fund religious centers and control educational programs… Through these networks, Hezbollah can interact with local cartels, sell drugs, and transfer profits back to Lebanon through elaborate programs.”
He said the role of as a connector makes Hezbollah essential Iran’s strategy In the Western Hemisphere. “This connection starts and ends in general, especially the hatred of the United States,” he said. “As long as Maduro is there, the Iranians will be there. But if Maduro leaves, Iran will lose its most important stronghold in Latin American activities.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrates the 22nd anniversary of the late President Hugo Chavez after the failed coup held by the late President Hugo Chavez on April 13, 2002 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/Archive Photo)
Maduro claims we seek “governmental change through military threats” in the Caribbean
Townsend said the partnership works for both parties. “Iran’s partnership with Maduro has enabled Hezbola to operate in Venezuela. Iran can operate safely in the west through Hizbola without prosecution, and Maduro and his officials were well paid. Ultimately,Iran uses and utilizes Maduro. Maduro doesn’t care – he and his friends are financially benefiting. ”
Both experts pointed out that state accomplices are the main promoters. “Under Maduro and Chávez, Venezuela has become the main transshipment hub for cocaine in Colombia,” Townsend said. “Several indictments in the U.S. and Treasury OFAC designation link senior government officials directly to the use of national infrastructure (ports, air bases, and even military convoys) to move the mass transport of cocaine. Sun cartels, senior officers, senior officers, run and protect these cargoes.
Hezbollah members paid tribute to the group’s yellow flag at the funeral of their fallen comrades Ismail Baz and Mohamad Hussein Shohury and were killed during an Israeli strike, their vehicles on strike, on April 17, 2024 in Shehabiya, Lebanon, and on April 17, 2024 in Shehabiya, South Lebanon. (by Getty Images AFP)
Citrinowicz highlights Iran’s investment in Venezuela’s electricity structure. “The enhancement is illustrated through several aspects: First and most importantly, military cooperation, especially the Iranian factory building drones for the Venezuelan army, and the continuous flight from Iran to Venezuela from Africa to Venezuela,” he said. “Iran is also teaching Venezuela how to bypass sanctions and invest billions of dollars in the economy.”
Experts say Washington’s best leverage is choking finance. “We need to actively target and stifle these financial networks,” Townsend said. “The top priority is to attack the financial and logistics networks, sue everyone we can and put pressure on Maduro. If we can cut off the financial artery, cocaine will not be so profitable.”
Citrinowicz agrees that the strike is suitable for a wider effort. “By weakening Maduro, the United States weakens Iran’s presence Latin America He said it weakened Iran’s ability to threaten U.S. land. The best way to weaken Venezuela is also to target the Iranian existence there. ”
Iranian worshippers raised their hands as a sign of unification with Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the anti-Israel rally, condemning the June 20, 2025 attack on Iran on Iran’s city in Trenland. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Nurphoto via Getty Images)
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For Washington, experts say Hezbollah’s narcotics empire in Venezuela is no longer just a regional issue. It is increasingly seen as a direct threat to the safety of the United States at home.
