Latin America American Terrorism Issues and Possible

Latin America

American terrorism issues and possible convergence with drug cartels in Central and South America

Terrorism in Latin America

Columbia

The leftist National Liberation Army (ELN)

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

Cuba

Venezuela

Mexico

Iranian Activity and Sponsorship Focus

Tri- Boarder area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

Regional Overview and Criminal Activities and Concerns

Parallel developments of Terrorism and Organized Crime

Poverty, Discrimination and Relative Denial

Interconnections between Terrorism and Organized Crime

Groups

Abu Nidal organization (ANO)

The leftist National Liberation Army (ELN)

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

HAMAS (Islamic Resistance Movement)

Hizballah (Party of God)

Types of Crime which may also Finance Terrorist Activity 25

Drugs and Drug Cartels 25

Smuggling

Credit Card fraud

Donations 27

Religious "Zakat" tax 27

International Organizations 27

Internet 28

U.S. Concerns, Response and Possible scenarios 28

Conclusion 28

Bibliography 30

Summary

This paper is about the threats of terrorism to Latin America. This research project will focus on an overview of Latin America terrorism issues and possible convergence with drug cartels (and/or other ordinary crime syndicates) in Central and South America. It will research regional and international terrorist groups, both state and non-state sponsored. The states which are discussed in context of terrorism are Columbia, Peru, Cuba, Venezuela and Mexico. Various terrorist groups and their role in spreading terrorism along with their strengths are discussed in detail. Iranian activity and Tri- Boarder area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay are thoroughly discussed because of the significant role played by these regions in spreading terrorism in Latin America. Reasons that leads a nation towards terrorism like global economic recession, widened gap between the communities, expansion of heroin and cocaine production across the world as a response to destitution and poverty, declining income and unemployment, discrimination with the increased globalization of mass media enhancing the feeling of relative denial which in turn increases several vices in the society and drug trading are discussed in detail. The kinds of illegal businesses like smuggling, drug trade, and credit card fraud andbank robbery are also deeply analyzed. It has been analyzed that how different religions are using their sacred religious funds to support and reinforce terrorist activities. Zakat fund's use for these purposes is quoted as the most appropriate example. International organization's and media's negative role to promote terrorism has also been discussed thoroughly in order to decipher facts and realities about the adverse effect of terrorism globally. In the end, United States of America's response and implications of different scenarios has also been discussed. All these facts not only highlight the effects of terrorism across the globe but also prompt the nations to think about it.

Introduction

Terrorism is somehow an undefined term with no legal binding and criminal law definition. In simple words, it is referred to the methodical practice of terror often defined in terms of violence. It can be explained in terms of oppression as well. It is usually defined as vicious and violent acts that are done intentionally to create fear[footnoteRef:2]. These violent activities arecarried out for religious, political or, sociopolitical goals. Some new definition now includes acts of illegal viciousness and war. In certain circumstances, same methods and tactics are used by criminal organization for purposes like handling a difficult situation of unrest but these are not considered terrorism activities. On the contrary, similar tactics fall under the criteria of terrorism if implemented or practiced by politically motivated group. The word "terrorism" is diplomatically and sensitivelystimulating, and this significantlyleads to the trouble of providing anexact definition. It is thus a controversial term due to multiple reasons. Firstly, it is frequently used by government establishments and persons with contact to state backing to delegitimize political or other rivals. Similarly, in certain cases, it is being used to legitimize the federation's own use of armed force against enemies.It is not only used by terrorist groups and non-political organizations but is also being used by a broad range of political parties to fulfill their motives and goals. It is being used by patriotic groups, religious groups, rebels, and ruling regimes[footnoteRef:3]. [2: Fazey, Cindy. "International Policy on Illicit Drug Trafficking: The Formal and Informal Mechanisms." Journal of Drug Issues (2007): 2-3] [3: Weiss, Peter Ulrich. "Terrorism, Counterterrorism and International Law ." Arab Studies Quarterly (ASQ) (2002): 22-34.]

The basic purpose of this research paper is to bring facts to light about Latin America terrorism issues and possible convergence with drug cartels (and/or other ordinary crime syndicates) in Central and South America. It will research regional and international terrorist groups, both state and non-state sponsored.It is usually believed that spread of terrorism in United States of America is the outcome of September 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. This is not the complete truth. This incident added fuel to the already existing fire. It intensified the already existing issues in America. Terrorism in America, like America itself, is an invention of the numerous inhabitants, disputes and clashes that co-exist within the nation's borders.The United States is almostdistinctiveamongst nations for its capability to "contain multitudes" in comparativecoherence. On inspection, a considerableextent of terrorism in American antiquity is driven by a greatsuspicion of the American model of democracy. People of varied backgrounds exist in America and they can all claim faithfulness to and the welfares of the American system. In short, September 2001 incident cannot be solely claimed for the increased terrorism in America. It can be defined as a passionate right over what or who is genuinely American. This confusion about American model of democracy led to the unrest among the nation which eventually resulted in increase of terrorist activities.

Terrorism in Latin America

It has been a major concern to the United States to secure Latin America from terrorist threats and activities. The government is paying attention to save these Latin American from groups that are making effort to overthrow the ruling government and are trying to create unrest. Despite of the fact that Latin America is not the center of attention in war on terrorism but countries of this region have been struggling with national terrorism for decades and global terrorist groups have at times used the area as a battlefield to progress their causes. This too is an alarming situation. Steps need to be taken to secure the region from these dangers and hazards that are making people insecure and forcing them to act suspiciously in context of the American model of democracy[footnoteRef:4]. [4: Lutz, James M. And Brenda J. Lutz. "International Terrorism in Latin America: Effects on Foreign Investment and Tourism ." The Journal of Social, Political, and Economic Studies (2006): 33-56.]

Columbia

Colombia has three terrorist groups that have been elected by the Secretary of State as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)

The leftist National Liberation Army (ELN)

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

Colombia is considered an economically unstable country that has been a victim of terrorism from the past 120 years. During the 1940s, rebellious terrorist groups appeared in rural areas of this region when criminal groups came under the influence of Communism, and were later transformed into contemporary groups, such as the Ejercito de LiberacionNacional (ELN) or National Liberation Army and Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionares de Colombia (FARC) or Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). Rebel terrorist groups arose in reaction to subversive groups and were later converted into present-day groups, such as the AutodefensasUnidas de Colombia (AUC) or United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia. Terrorism has been causing many problems in this state. From 1995 to 2002, 9,435 people were killed by terrorism-related events, of which 5,864 were killed by subversive terrorist activities and 3,571 were killed by paramilitary terrorist activities. In 2002, at least nineteen attacks produced 10 or more casualties, of which 18 were bombings. In 2002, terrorists killed at least 12 mayors, 71 legislators, and internally displaced 300,000 persons from their homes. Since terrorist groups in Colombia are usually sustained by drug business and trading, it has been challenging at times to discriminate violence due to terrorism from violence due to illegal drug trafficking.

Terrorism has been causing harm to the economy in multiple ways. It has caused adverse effects on the economy of the region. It can result in many problems like restricted travel, loss of economic capitals, lack of economic security, political instability and loss of infrastructure.

The leftist National Liberation Army (ELN)

State Department's 2010 terrorism report has brought many realities to light. According to this report, ELN has around 1250 fighters with very little resources and capabilities but they still have managed to cause casualties on a large scale. Despite of its limited resources and low potential fighters, it has been able to influence terrorism activities with the help of funds generated through drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. ELN has been acting as one of the leading source of trouble in Columbia due to which the government signed a peace treaty with this group but to multiple conflicts past peace talks between the ELN and the Colombian government ended in 2008.

United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC)

This group of terrorist is relatively weak and less active. Very few activities have been reported by this group. It has more than 32000 members dismissed. Thus, it remains inactive as a formal group. Despite of its less activities, many old members of AUC are engaged in criminal activities mostly drug trafficking, in newly emerging criminal organizations (known as BACRIM, BandasCriminalesEmergentes). This newly emerging group has more than 3500 and less than 6000 members. To cope with this situation, Colombian government has taken multiple steps and made new laws. These laws are being implemented properly in order to generate peace in the region. One of the unique and most effective laws made in this context is the thorough and detailed investigation of demobilized paramilitaries under the Justice and Peace Law. This law is designed in a way that it promoted and motivates these criminals to admit their crime and return the profits. The Colombian government continued to process and investigates demobilized paramilitaries under the Justice and Peace Law, which offers judicial benefits and reduced prison sentences for participants who confess fully to their crimes and return all illicit profits. Many former AUC members also were receiving some reintegration benefits[footnoteRef:5]. [5: Rudqvist, Anders. "Greed or Social Injustice? Competing Approaches to Conflict Resolution and Sustainable Peace in Colombia ." Ibero-americana (2006): 66-69.]

The leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)

Over the past numerous years, the FARC has been destabilizedconsiderably by the government's military campaign against it, including the killings of several FARC commanders in 2007 and the groups second in command, Raul Reyes, during a Colombian government raid on a FARC camp in Ecuador on March 1, 2008[footnoteRef:6]. In May 2008, the FARC's long-time leader, Manuel Marulanda, had died of a heart attack in March. In July 2008, a Colombian military operation in the southeastern province of Guaviare rescued 15 long-held hostages, including three U.S. defense contractors held since February 2003 -- Thomas Howes, Keith Stansell, and Marc Gonsalves; Colombian Senator and presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt; and other Colombians. The Colombian military dealt a significant blow to the terrorist group in September2010 when it killed a top military commander, Victor Julio Suarezin bombing raid on his camp in a mountainous region of Meta department in central Colombia. Even more significantly, in early November 2011, the Colombian military killed FARC leader Alfonso Cano in a bombing raid in the department of Cauca in southwestern Colombia. These killings of its significant leaders have been playing a vital role to destabilize this group. Change of rule again and again somehow negatively impacts leadership. It weakens its position and control. Same thing happened with this group. In the outcome of Cano's death, Rodrigo Londono, also known as Timoleon Jimenez or Timochenko, a long-time member of the FARC Secretariat, was chosen as the FARC's new leader in mid-November 2011. [6: Murillo-Urrutia, Luis Gilberto. "Contemporary Challenges in Colombia: An Afro-Colombian Perspective ." The Journal of Pan African Studies (Online) (2007): 44-56.]

The FARC is still assessed to have strength of around 8,000, with the group accountable for terrorist attacks, coercion, and kidnappings. In late November 2011, the FARC executed four hostages who had been held for more than a decade when the Colombian military approached a guerrilla camp in the southern department of Caqueta.[footnoteRef:7] This was a major setback for the Colombian military. It negatively impacted its position and spread fear among the nation. [7: Procell, Richard,. "Global Security Challenges with Potential Links to Terrorism." Military Review (2002): 28-32.]

Colombian terrorist groups endured to consume territory of numerous of Colombia's neighbors which includes Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela according to the State Department's terrorism report. The FARC has training and logistical supply camps along Ecuador's northern border with Colombia. While Ecuador's relations with Colombia became tense in the aftermath of Colombia's March 2008 military raid on a FARC camp in Ecuador's Sucumbios province,

Ecuador's military laterimproved the number of operations against the FARC in its northern border region. Nonetheless, according to the 2010 terrorism report, resource limitationsand inadequatecompetencesexaggerated Ecuador's actions. Under new Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, the two countries made progress in refining bilateral relations, and reinstated diplomatic relations in December 2010.

In Panama, a small number of FARC members from the group's 57th Front were reported to operate in the country's Darien province bordering Colombia, using the area as a safe haven. In January 2010, three FARC members were killed and two were captured in a clash with Panamanian forces in Darien, while late in 2010, Panama and Colombia agreed to establish police stations near each side of the border[footnoteRef:8]. [8: Contemporary Challenges in Colombia: An Afro-Colombian Perspective ." Journal of Pan African Studies (2007): 567-589.]

In Peru, the FARC was reported to use remote areas along the Colombian-Peruvian border to rest, regroup, and make arms purchases. According to the State Department terrorism report, experts contend that the FARC continued to fund coca cultivation and cocaine production among thePeruvian population in border areas.

As defined in the 2010 terrorism report, the Colombian government of President Alvaro Uribe openlyblamed the Venezuelan government multiple times during the year of harboring members of the FARC and ELN in its territory. In July 2010, the Uribe government presented evidence at the OAS of FARC training camps in Venezuela. In response, Venezuela suspended diplomatic relations on July 22, 2010, yet less than three weeks later new Colombian President Santos met with Venezuelan President Chavez and the two leaders agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations and to improve military patrols along their border. In congressional testimony on February 15, 2011, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo Valenzuela maintained that there was reduced Venezuelan support for the FARC since President Santos has reached out to Venezuela.Since then, Venezuela has captured and returned to Colombia several members of the FARC. In October 2011 congressional testimony, a U.S. official maintained that there continues to be evidence that the FARC are sheltering in Venezuela. This is how FARC and Columbia has been going through in different times. Columbian's government has been making a continuous effort to destabilize the position and strength of FARC and in many situations, it has succeeded in this mission but has failed to crunch its power completely.

Cuba

The Department of State, pursuant to Section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act (EAA) of1979, has claimed that Cuba is among those few states that have been playing a significant role in supporting terrorist activities since 1982. Other states that have been claimed to be significantly important in supporting terrorist activities include Iran, Syria and Sudan. Communist Cuba had a history of backup revolutionary movements and governments in Latin America and Africa, but in 1992, then Cuban leader Fidel Castro said that his country's support for rebels abroad was a an act of the past and they would not continue to do so. Their policy in context changed basically due the breakup of the Soviet Union caused in the loss of billions in aids and supports. These activities usually involve financial assistance to be carried out and the breakup of the Soviet Union affected its financial position.As in previous years, the report upheld that Cuba continued to condemn U.S. counterterrorism strugglesglobally. During this time, many people suspected that Cuba has been linked with the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN), United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) and the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and has been supporting terrorism but research reports did not bring any such fact to light[footnoteRef:9]. They have been making an effort to stop the support for rebels abroad. [9: Perez, Ricardo Torres. "Economic Changes in Cuba: Current Situation and Perspectives ." Harvard International Review (2012): 33-45.]

Venezuela

Lately, Venezuela has been a converted to a place where terrorism and drug activities have gained an easy access. It is considered as a heaven for criminal involved in these vices. Thus it needs few major amendments in order to uproot this evil from this region and one of the most significant steps would be to restore democratic system properly[footnoteRef:10]. In one of the Bloomberg Latin America Investing Conference in New York, Uribe said that "It needs a new government, a new orientation in Venezuela, for this country to get rid of macro-trafficking, to get rid of terrorism and to get rid of dictators." The person who has blamed for this deterioration is Hugo Chavez. He was the president of Venezuela from 1999 till his death in 2013. Previously he was selected as the leader of Fifth Republic Movement political party. This party was established in 1997 and was merged with several other parties to form the United Socialist Party of Venezuela in 2007. During all these years Hugo Chavez lead this party. This person has been blamed for all the criminal activities of Venezuela as individual freedom is adversely affected in this man's era. The situation is growing worse than ever.Freedom of humans was affected in his era that gave boom to terrorism issues and possible convergence with drug cartels. Washington Post has issued a detailed report claiming all the facts and figures that led to the destruction of Venezuela's political institution because of the freedom snatched by citizens of the state under the rule of President Hugo Chavez. It contained all the details and thoroughly discussed the issue of deterioration of the rights and the role played by Organization of America to highlight the events. The most significant issues highlighted in this report are invasion of judicial independence, snubbing and snatching of rights of opposition media, elected opposition leaders were deprived of their rights in order take over their authority and control in important state decisions and mafia style tactics and methods have been used to snub human rights groups. This report brought several facts to light like killing of larger number of journalists, farmers and opposition protesters. It has been reported that during the time period of 1997 to 2009, 173 trade union leaders and members were murdered, 134 random killings of security forces have been reported in this era, 87 allegations of torture and several cases of forced disappeared. It also says that several radical groups joined hands with Mr. Chavez that led to many violent activities with the help and assistance of state agents. It has been claimed that most of the financial aid needed by terrorist group named FARC has been provided by Venezuela. Even ETA has been financially assisted by this state and can be held responsible for all terrorist activities in Spain. Even many claims have been made about the connections between ETA and FARC. Arturo CubillasFontan is believed to be the one who has been associated about the connection between ETA and FARC and this man is linked with Venezuela as he has a government job in this state and was working under President Hugo Chavez. The most serious point made is that ETA members are being trained by FARC in order to spread terrorism and these rebel camps of FARC even helped ETA by training them to kill former Colombian president Andres Pastrana and the current president, Alvaro Uribe[footnoteRef:11]. The connection between Chavez, FARC, and ETA are not ordinary. It is due to this reason that military assistance has been provided to these groups in order to promote terrorism and other criminal activities. That is not to indicate that the external moral sustenance Chavez provisions to these reasons. [10: Molleda, Juan-Carlos and Angeles Moreno. "Balancing Public Relations with Socioeconomic and Political Environments in Transition: Comparative, Contextualized Research in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela ." Journalism and Communication Monographs (2008): 22-34.] [11: Fray Angelico Chavez, Ted J. Warner, Silvestre Vaelez de Escalante. The Domainguez-Escalante Journal: Their Expedition through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in 1776. Salt Lake City: Utah Press, 1995.]

With the death of Chavez, nothing about the future is certain. This is a natural fact that with the end of every dictator, a vacuum is established and future becomes uncertain one or the other way. Re-democratization is a hard decision at this point of time as people have always been subjected to dictatorship. Citizens of the state have always been deprived of their rights and they lack the potential to ratiocinate on right and wrong. Even the current vice president is not reliable enough. Despite of all the criminal and terrorism activities associated with Chavez, he gained huge amount of popularity in the state that bothered the opposition. He made the country live a reality due to which an uncertain future is bothering the whole population. This situation is a good enough opportunity for North America to take advantage and negotiate with the state and conduct new elections. It's time for a very exact politician.

Mexico

Mexico has the reputation of a pacifist country across the globe, but many economic and geopolitical events of the last half of the century are considered acts of terrorism.[footnoteRef:12] Most of these acts that took place in past 15 years are linked with political movements and drug dealing actions. The epidemiological surveillance system has gained power and strength after 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in United States of America. It has been reported that more than 1000 calls have been received on issues of security between 16 October and 21 October 2001. So in order to deal with this unrest National Civil Protection System was given the task to deal with it. This System was created in 1986 to deal with situations of disaster. [12: Valeriano, Brandon, Powers, Matthew. "United States-Mexico: The Convergence of Public Policy Views in the Post-9/11 World." Policy Studies Journal (2010): 32-33.]

One of the major groups that are involved with terrorism in Mexico is Hezbollah. It has been reported that this group along with Lebanese terror group increasingly joining forces with drug cartels. It has been reported that large population of people from Middle East who are residing in Mexico are using routes setup by drug mafia networks to get into U.S. Drug cartel is no doubt the greatest source of terrorism in the region.Mexico's ambassador claims that his country's government disputes a recent House GOP report and brought multiple facts to light. In this report he alleged that Iranian and Hezbollah terror operatives are using Mexican drug cartels as a channel to penetrate in the United States. Investigations and Management released a report titled "A Line in the Sand: Countering Crime, Violence and Terror at the Southwest Border." This report declares the fact that "Southwest border has now become the greatest threat of terrorist infiltration into the United States." It precisely quoted a "growing influence" from Iranian and Hezbollah terror forces in Latin America but the Mexican government did not agree with this[footnoteRef:13]. [13: Ian O. Lesser, Bruce Hoffman, John Arquilla, David Ronfeldt, Michele Zanini. Countering the New Terrorism. New York: Routledge, 1999.]

Ricardo Alday, a spokesman for Mexico's ambassador to the United States, wrote in a letter to TheDC. "No known international terrorist organization had an operational presence in Mexico and no terrorist group targeted U.S. citizens in or from Mexican territory," the State Department report reads. "There was no evidence of ties between Mexican criminal organizations and terrorist groups, nor that the criminal organizations had political or territorial control, aside from seeking to protect and expand the impunity with which they conduct their criminal activity." "According to a federal arrest complaint filed in New York City, the [Iranian] Qods Force attempted to hire a drug cartel (identified by other sources as the Los Zetas) to assassinate Saudi Ambassador Adel al-Jubeir for a fee of $1.5 million," the report reads. "The terror attack was to take place at a popular restaurant in Washington, D.C. without regard to collateral deaths or damage." "The Qods Force made this solicitation because it knows drug traffickers are willing to undertake such criminal activity in exchange for money," the report continues. "Moreover, if this terror attack had been successful, the Qods Force intended to use the Los Zetas for other attacks in the future. Had it not been for a [Drug Enforcement Agency] DEA informant posing as the Los Zetas operative, this attack could have very well taken place."

From the past two years, Mexican scientists are the new targets of terrorism. They are threatened to bomb attacks. The group, named IndividualidadesTendiendoa loSalvaje (ITS), posted its declaration to anarchist blog Liberacion Total. They made a failed attempt to destroy Biotechnology Institute at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. And the group intends to continue. "We have said it before, we act without any compassion in the feral defense of Wild Nature," the manifesto states. "Did those who modify and destroy the Earth think their actions wouldn't have repercussions? That they wouldn't pay a price? If they thought so, they are mistaken." The group intimidates bombings against Mexican scientists because "they must pay for what they are doing to the Earth."

Similarly, another group named "Individuals Tending to Savagery," also spreads terrorism by claiming that technology is harmful, thus, it should be destroyed. They claim that their acts are for the welfare of mankind. The first bomb attack made by this group was in August 2011 on Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Mexico City.[footnoteRef:14]In these uncertain circumstances and with the increased strength of ITS, future is not safe in Mexico. The manifesto clearly warns "There will be more attacks on their labs and institutions, they must pay what they are doing to the Earth, must accept and take responsibility for their actions and minutes after a bomb explodes in their face (if they survive) say: -- I deserve it." [14: Montoya, Catalina. "Terrorism and Mass Media: A Spanish-Language Bibliography." Communication Research Trends (2002): 12-14.]

ITS and Hezbollah are the two major leading threats to the state.

Iranian Activity and Sponsorship Focus

It is a general perception around the world that Iran supports, fund and train many terrorists and hence has been involved in the terrorist activities across the globe.

A report in 2010 indicated the growing power of Iran's military presence in Latin America especially Venezuela. This argument was defended by saying that the interest was only because of commercial and business activities.[footnoteRef:15] [15: Sillivan, Mark P. Latin America: Terrorism Isuues. New York: Diane Publisher, 2009.]

The general conception is that Venezuela is acting as a bridge to build relationship between Iran and countries in Latin America. These close ties are evident by the increasing number of embassies in U.S. And many Iranian companies are establishing doubtful activities throughout the country. The reason that Latin America is concerned about this increased partnership is because of its close ties with Hezbolla. Iran has a history with Hezbolla and the terrorist attack that took place at Buenos Aires 1994.

Hezbolla is a ShiaIslamist militant group and it gets support majorly from Iran. Hezbollah Venezuela had a strange development. The organization started in 1999 as a Wayuu community project for micro farming, in Venezuela. This project did not gain much attention. Later on the name of the group was changed to "Jehovah Nisi." Now in the recent times it has been evaluated that the immediate goals of this organization is not to reach a strong violent stage but what the analyst have figured out is that they are majorly concerned with making a psychological impact and to build fear across these countries. [footnoteRef:16] [16: Harmon, Stephen Albert. "Joseph and Pharaoh: Religious Fundamentalists and Secular Modernists in Contemporary Islam and Their Hostility towards Western Liberalism ." Academic journal article from The Midwest Quarterly, Vol. 49, No. 2 (2008): 2-4.]

Hezbollah Latin America (Hezbollah LA) took the blame for some attack. They also claimed that they would do similar attacks across Latin America and Hezbollah Venezuela would see this as a beginning of their war against imperialism and Zionism.[footnoteRef:17] [17: Addis, Cassey L. Hezbollah: Background and Issues for Congress. New York: Diane Publishing Co, 2004.]

In 2011, the U.S. Treasury Department identified the Lebanon-based Lebanese Canadian

Bank (LCB) which was found to aid the money laundering activities of an international narcotics trafficking and money laundering network with ties to Hezbollah, so the U.S. put a ban on this bank and this bank was not allowed to operate in the future. The Treasury Departmentsaid that the network participated in moving illegal drugs from South America to Europe

and the Middle East through West Africa.

Some other sanctions have also been imposed by U.S. To people who have been reported to be funding Hezbolla. The U.S. treasury department has fined around a dozen people with the claim of providing financial aid to Hezbolla. Hezbolla'a chief representative in South America was recently sanctioned in 2010. After the 9/11 incident the U.S. policy majorly revolves around the terrorist activities.

UANI (United against Nuclear Iran) is an organization in the United States that aims to prevent Iran from fulfilling its dream of becoming regional super-power possessing nuclear weapons. Along with other advocacy campaigns, this organization also pressurizes companies to stop doing business with Iran.

Due to increased security concerns around the world and the image of Iran of being a terrorist supporting nation the U.S. majorly focuses on this part while formulating its policy.

Tri- Boarder area of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay

This border is considered the world's largest smuggling center. According to international terrorism expert John Price, "The economy of Ciudad del Este is dominated by illegal activity focused on smuggling contraband products, pirating software and music, and money laundering of cocaine production revenue." Ambassador Philip Wilcox, former Department of State (DOS) Coordinator for Counterterrorism claims that Hezbollah undertakings in the TBA have involved narcotics, smuggling, and terrorism. Many people are of the view that TBA's Arabs habe strong relation with Hezbollah, Iranian and Lebanese, Hamas and even Al-Qaeda. Majority of the Arabs refuse to accept this but there are few Arabs who openly support these groups claiming that it's their religion obligation.

The U.S. high authorities are of the view that all groups that promote illegal activity fund thee terrorist groups for their own good specially Hamas and Hezbollah. With the increased globalization, these terrorist groups have become more radical, illogical and difficult to find. The financial network is vast and is spread across the globe. The TBA's hazardousmixture of huge ungoverned areas, deficiency, unlawful activity, excluded groups, ill-equipped law implementation activities and militaries, and weak democracies is an open invitation to terrorists and their supporters. These activities cannot be controlled in future till the government pays attention to all the flaws of the system. If these flaws continue to exist, the place will continue to exist as world's largest smuggling center.

Regional Overview and Criminal Activities and Concerns

With increased globalization, organized crime groups and terrorist organizations have starting intersecting. This intersection exists for the purpose of raising funds to financially support all such activities like buying explosives and weapons.

Parallel developments of Terrorism and Organized Crime

The two basic reasons that led to this intersection are:

The powerful forces across the globe that have led to increase in growth rate of organized have also led to growth of terrorism.

The organizationaldevelopment of organized crime and terrorist organization show resemblances

Poverty, Discrimination and Relative Denial

Due to current global economic recession, people have been suffering from numerous issues. The gap between the communities has widened. For instance, it has been observed lately that the expansion of heroin and cocaine production across the world can be considered a response to destitution and poverty. This declining income and unemployment in the world is leading to the rise of these illegal businesses. Similarly, poverty and discrimination with the increased globalization of mass media enhances the feeling of relative denial which in turn increases several vices in the society. One of the most common response to such situation would be drug trading. Drug Traffickers are using this opportunity to motivate poor farmers to grow coca plant or opium poppies to maximize their income.

Interconnections between Terrorism and Organized Crime

Interconnection between terrorism and organized crime is due to the following reasons:

Terrorist tend to get involved in crimes in order to support themselves financially. With increased globalization, organized crime groups and terrorist organizations have starting intersecting. This intersection exists for the purpose of raising funds to financially support all such activities like buying explosives and weapons.

Organized crime groups and terrorists often operate on network structures and these structures sometimes intersect, terrorists can hide themselves among transnational criminal organizations.

Both these groups usually rule and operate in the states where government is unstable, laws are weak and are not implemented properly, economic stability is a major issue and the nation is deprived of basic necessities of life.

Both these groups usually have similar tactics and methodologies to communicate. They tend to exploit modern technology.

Both these groups often use same methods to operate their funds

Groups

Major terrorism groups are:

Abu Nidal organization (ANO)

It was led by Sabrri al-Banna. It was made of basically three functional groups i.e. financial, political and military. The strength of this network is its several hundred plus militia in Lebanon and international support. It has attacked around 20 countries. Has received considerable support, including safe haven, training, logistic assistance, and financial aid from Iraq and Syria (until 1987); continues to receive aid from Libya, in addition to close support for selected operations.

The leftist National Liberation Army (ELN)

State Department's 2010 terrorism report has brought many realities to light. According to this report, ELN has around 1250 fighters with very little resources and capabilities but they still have managed to cause casualties on a large scale. Despite of its limited resources and low potential fighters, it has been able to influence terrorism activities with the help of funds generated through drug trafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. ELN has been acting as one of the leading source of trouble in Columbia due to which the government signed a peace treaty with this group but to multiple conflicts past peace talks between the ELN and the Colombian government ended in 2008.