An Iranian-backed terrorist group is laundering money in the Tri-Border Area of Latin America, according to a report published Tuesday. Such illicit activities in the region straddling the intersection of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay have long been a source of concern for United States security officials.

This new report, prepared by the political risk-consulting firm Asymmetrica, estimates that the black-market economy in the Tri-Border Area generates $43 billion a year (more than the entire gross domestic product of Paraguay). The Iranian-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah is particularly active in this region, using its share of money laundering to kill U.S. citizens and U.S. allies around the globe.

“The money going to Hezbollah from the illegal Lebanese networks is of particular concern to U.S. authorities, especially as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Iran and its proxies,” reported the Wall Street Journal. “The group is a political and military force in Lebanon, playing a major role in the Syrian civil war supporting President Bashar al-Assad alongside Russia and Iran.”

An Iranian-backed terrorist group is laundering money in the Tri-Border Area of Latin America, according to a report published Tuesday. Such illicit activities in the region straddling the intersection of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay have long been a source of concern for United States security officials.

This new report, prepared by the political risk-consulting firm Asymmetrica, estimates that the black-market economy in the Tri-Border Area generates $43 billion a year (more than the entire gross domestic product of Paraguay). The Iranian-backed terrorist organization Hezbollah is particularly active in this region, using its share of money laundering to kill U.S. citizens and U.S. allies around the globe.

“The money going to Hezbollah from the illegal Lebanese networks is of particular concern to U.S. authorities, especially as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on Iran and its proxies,” reported the Wall Street Journal. “The group is a political and military force in Lebanon, playing a major role in the Syrian civil war supporting President Bashar al-Assad alongside Russia and Iran.”

Source » thetrumpet