U.S. Puts $10 Million Bounty on Hezbollah Financial Networks in South America
The United States government announced Monday a reward of up to $10 million for information disrupting Hezbollah’s financial operations in the Tri-Border Area where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet.
This initiative targets individuals and institutions allegedly funding the Lebanese organization through various illegal activities. American authorities have long monitored this region, home to a significant Islamic community.
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program specifically seeks information about Hezbollah’s financial mechanisms in this strategic area. The U.S. designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 1997.
Hezbollah reportedly generates approximately $1 billion annually through direct Iranian support, international investments, donor networks, and money laundering activities.
Their South American operations involve complex criminal enterprises including drug trafficking, smuggling of charcoal and oil, illegal diamond trade, and counterfeiting.
The U.S. Treasury Department maintains a sanctions list featuring numerous Arab names allegedly operating in Foz do Iguaçu and surrounding areas. These individuals supposedly facilitate funding not only for Hezbollah but also Hamas and Islamic State.
“Hezbollah financiers in this region raise resources through money laundering, drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal trade, document forgery, and counterfeiting,” states the Department of State announcement.
U.S. Targets Hezbollah’s Latin American Revenue Networks
The organization also derives revenue from legitimate businesses throughout Latin America, including construction, import-export operations, and real estate.
Brazilian authorities have recently taken action against these networks. In 2024, Brazil’s Federal Police dismantled a scheme reportedly financing the recruitment of Brazilians by Hezbollah.
Previous operations have uncovered software piracy schemes and electronic cigarette smuggling operations funneling millions to the organization.
The reward program seeks specific information about Hezbollah’s revenue sources, donors, banking connections, business investments, and criminal schemes. Tips can be submitted confidentially via encrypted messaging platforms to the Rewards for Justice program.
This bounty represents an escalation in American efforts to combat terrorist financing in South America. Previous reward offers existed but never specifically targeted the Tri-Border Area with such focus and financial incentive.
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