The US Treasury Department, in collaboration with the DEA, imposed sanctions this Tuesday on important operational agents and financial facilitators of Hezbollah operating in South America and Lebanon.
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The action is directed against seven people and entities involved in generating income for Hezbollah and? allow the presence of the group in Latin America.
In particular, it includes Amer Mohamed Akil Radaa senior Hezbollah operative who played a role in the 1994 terrorist attack against the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) in Argentinawhich caused the death of 85 people and more than 300 injuries.
Akil Rada, who resides in Lebanon, was a senior operative in Hezbollah’s External Security Organization (ESO), responsible for the group’s extraterritorial operations. He also coordinated various business ventures for Hezbollah, including charcoal exports from Colombia to Lebanon. Up to 80 percent of the income from its business activities benefited Hezbollah.
Besides, Amer collaborated closely with Salman Raouf Salmansanctioned by the United States, to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance activities throughout South America on behalf of Hezbollah. He was also one of the operational members responsible for the attack against the AMIA in Buenos Aires and allegedly participated in the attack against the Israeli embassy perpetrated in 1992 in the same city.
In 2020, a report linked Akil Rada, a Lebanese-Venezuelan, to Salman Roauf Salman. This is the report, titled “The Maduro-Hezbollah nexus: how Iran-backed networks prop up the Venezuelan regime,” prepared by Joseph Humire and presented by the Atlantic Council.
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“Today’s action highlights the commitment of the United States government to pursue Hezbollah operatives and financiers regardless of their location”said Treasury Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “We will continue to root out those who seek to abuse the American and international financial system to finance and participate in terrorism,” he added.
The sanctions also include Samer Akil Rada, Amer’s brother, linked to illicit drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Samer is currently General Director and CEO of BCI Technologies CA, based in Venezuela.
Mahdy Akil Helbawison of Amer, carries out business activities in Colombia on behalf of his father, probably in an attempt to evade detection and sanctions. Helbawi is the CEO of Zanga SASa Colombia-based coal company that has been the main supplier of entities to this Hezbollah network.
Zanga SAS received approximately $40,000 in transfers from Lebanon-based company Black Diamond SARL, citing charcoal or charcoal purchases. Ali Ismail Ajrouch is the owner of Black Diamond SARL.
As a result of these sanctions, All assets and interests in assets belonging to designated persons and entities must be blocked and reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).. Americans are generally prohibited from transacting with blocked or designated persons.
Additionally, individuals and entities that engage in certain transactions with today’s designated individuals may face the risk of secondary sanctions. OFAC has the authority to prohibit or impose strict conditions on correspondent accounts or direct payment accounts of foreign financial institutions in the United States if they knowingly conduct or facilitate significant transactions on behalf of Specially Designated Global Terrorists or those linked to Hezbollah.
