Meehan Chairs Subcommittee Hearing on Hezbollah in Latin America

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, today held a hearing entitled "Hezbollah in Latin America -- Implications for U.S. Homeland Security."

"Hezbollah is one of the most sophisticated global terrorist organizations in the world," said Congressman Meehan. "It is the responsibility of this subcommittee to examine threats of possible terrorist attacks. We must remember that before September 11, Hezbollah -- not al-Qaeda -- was responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist organization. Today's hearing was a significant step toward enhancing awareness about Hezbollah's activities in Latin America and understanding this very serious threat to Americans here at home."

Law enforcement and the intelligence community have long been concerned about the terrorist threat emanating from the Tri-Border area connecting Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay in South America. It has been widely reported that Hezbollah is working with likeminded allies and hostile regimes in Latin America to undermine American national security. Its activities include skirting United Nations sanctions, raising funds, spreading anti-American and anti-Israeli propaganda, recruiting operatives, laundering money, and smuggling weapons and drugs. The growing nexus between international terror networks and drug-trafficking organizations throughout Latin America is a dynamic and emerging issue facing the counterterrorism and intelligence community.

While serving as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Congressman Meehan initiated investigations into Hezbollah's activities in Philadelphia that had direct connections to Latin America. These investigations exposed Hezbollah's vast networks throughout the region and ended in convictions.

The witnesses at today's hearing included: the Honorable Roger Noriega, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research; Mr. Douglas Farah, Senior Fellow Financial Investigations and Transparency, International Assessment and Strategy Center; Mr. Ilan Berman, Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council; and Dr. Melani Cammett, Director, Middle East Studies Program, Brown University.

This is the fourth hearing the subcommittee has held aimed at educating Members about the myriad terrorist threats to the homeland from various parts of the world. Earlier this year, the subcommittee heard from experts on the threat posed by AQAP in Yemen, the terrorist threat emanating from Pakistan and the ramifications of unrest in the Middle East and North Africa on U.S. counterterrorism efforts.

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