The deadly American strike in the Caribbean last week is cast by experts as the newest step in a broader campaign to dismantle the growing Narco -Rijk by Iran and Hezbollah in Venezuela.
American officials say that the Aragua works closely with the sun’s cartel – one Network of Venezuelan Military elites that are long accused of moving cocaine in collaboration with Hezbollah.
Hegseeth gives Stark warning to drug traders after the American military strike on the Venezuelan ship
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, on November 23, 2015. (Press Office/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Townsend added that Hezbollah ‘has become main finances and money laundering for groups of narco-terrorism such as TREN de Aragua’, so that when cocaine moves, Hezbollah-linked facilitators often process at least part of the yields.
Citrinowicz said that the group of family ties, language and community institutions is used to strengthen its influence in Latin America. “They name imams, finance religious centers and check educational programs … Through these networks, Hezbollah can enter into interaction with local cartels, sell drugs and cancel the profit back to Lebanon through extensive schemes.”
He said this role as a connector makes Hezbollah indispensable Iran’s strategy in the western hemisphere. “The connection starts and ends with enmity to the West in general, especially to the United States,” he said. “As long as Maduro is there, the Iranians will be there. But if Maduro goes, Iran loses the most important stronghold of his activity in Latin -America.”
President Nicolas Maduro leads the celebration of the 22nd anniversary of the return of deceased President Hugo Chavez in power after a failed attempted coup in Caracas, Venezuela, on 13 April 2024. (Reuters/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File photo)
Maduro claims that we are looking for the regime of the regime due to the military threat ‘amid Caribbean structure
Townsend stated that the partnership works for both parties. “Iran’s partnership with Maduro enables Hezbollah to operate in Venezuela. Iran can operate safely, via Hezbollah, in the west without persecution, and Maduro and his officials are well paid. Iran uses and exploits Maduro. Maduro doesn’t care – he and his friends benefit financially. “
Both experts pointed to the complicity of the state as the most important enabler. “Under Maduro and Chávez, Venezuela has become an important transition hub for Colombian cocaine,” said Townsend. “There have been various charges in the US and Treasury ofac indications that link high government officials directly to the use of state infrastructure havens, even military convoys of mass shipments of cocaine.
Hezbollah members increase the yellow flags of the group during the funeral of fallen comrades in Shehabiya in South Libanon on April 17, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)
Citrinowicz emphasized the investment of Iran in Venezuelan power structures. “The improvement is illustrated by various aspects: in the first place, military cooperation, in particular Iranian factories that build UAVs for the Venezuelan army, and constant Quds Force flights from Iran through Africa to Venezuela,” he said. “Iran also learns Venezuela how to circumvent sanctions and has invested billions in the economy.”
Experts say that Washington’s best leverage is stifling the finances. “We have to direct and choke these financial networks,” said Townsend. “The priority is to attack the financial and logistical networks, to accuse everyone we can and put pressure on Maduro. If we can cut off the financial arteries, the cocaine will not be that profitable.”
Citrinowicz agreed that the strike fits in a broader effort. “By weakening Maduro, the US weakens the Iranian presence Latin -America And weakens Iran’s ability to threaten American soil, “he said.” The best way to weaken Venezuela is also to focus on the Iranian presence there. “
Iranian worshipers keep their hands up as signs of unity with the supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an anti-Israeli rally in the center of Tehran on June 20, 2025. (Morteza Nikoubazl/Nurphoto via Getty images)
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For Washington, experts say that Hezbollah’s Narcotics empire in Venezuela is no longer just a regional problem. It is increasingly being treated as a direct threat to the security of America at home.
