Israeli Ambassador to Costa Rica Mijal Gur-Aryeh recently raised concerns over the reported establishment of bases for Hezbollah and other Iranian radical groups in Latin American countries, particularly Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. This warning was conveyed during an online press conference attended by Nicaraguan journalists in exile, organized after Nicaragua’s communist government, led by Daniel Ortega, severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Gur-Aryeh emphasized that the situation involves not only Hezbollah’s presence but also an alarming proliferation of Iranian influence through radical proxies in the region, which has reportedly escalated under various leftist regimes, particularly in Venezuela and Bolivia.
During the press conference, Gur-Aryeh confirmed Israel’s collaboration with the United States in intelligence-sharing efforts to counter Hezbollah’s activities in Latin America. The Israeli ambassador highlighted the closeness of this cooperation while refraining from disclosing detailed operational specifics due to the sensitive nature of intelligence work. The involvement of both the Iranian regime and Hezbollah in Latin America is not a new development; however, the ambassador noted that these entities have gained significant traction in recent years, reinforced by diplomatic and operational support from radical leftist governments in the region.
Gur-Aryeh also pointed to Bolivia as a significant focal point for Iranian influence, led by the socialist government of President Luis Arce, which has been characterized by its strategic alliances with Iran. These relationships have included agreements for the procurement of Iranian drones and a controversial memorandum related to defense and security. Bolivia’s government has openly aligned itself with anti-Israel sentiments, joining other Latin American nations in severing diplomatic relations with Israel following the escalation of conflict with Hamas. This diplomatic shift serves to further entrench Iranian interests in the region, complicating the geopolitical landscape surrounding issues of security and terrorism.
Additionally, the ambassador cited historical instances of Hezbollah’s terrorist attacks in Argentina, associating these with Iranian support and alleging that such operations have past links to Iranian diplomatic missions. Specifically, she referenced the bombings of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in 1994, asserting that Iranian operatives remained pivotal in orchestrating attacks against Israeli interests. These accusations align with Argentina’s ongoing investigations into Iran’s alleged responsibility for these incidents, thus underscoring shared regional concerns about the manifestations of terrorism that could spill over into broader destabilizing effects within the Americas.
In response to Gur-Aryeh’s statements, the Bolivian government rebuked the allegations, labeling them “irresponsible” and asserting Bolivia’s commitment to peace and a constitutional ban on foreign military bases. The Bolivian Foreign Ministry further emphasized that such statements aimed to instigate confrontations among Latin American countries and did not reflect the realities of Bolivia’s diplomatic principles. They urged other Latin American nations to resist provocations that could jeopardize regional harmony, indicating a wary reaction to what they perceive as Israel’s attempt to isolate and discredit leftist governments aligned with Iranian interests.
Moreover, Nicaragua, under Ortega’s leadership, also dismissed the Israeli ambassador’s claims of a growing Iranian influence within its territory, framing the statements as distractions from Israel’s ongoing military actions in Palestinian territories. The regime’s denunciation highlighted a broader narrative among leftist-aligned governments in Latin America, portraying themselves as defenders of regional sovereignty in the face of external accusations. These tensions point to the complex interplay of international relations, local governance, and ideological alignments, revealing an escalating conflict not only over diplomacy but also over influence and security in the hemisphere. As geopolitical dynamics shift, the implications of Iranian and Hezbollah’s presence in Latin America continue to evolve, prompting responses that reflect a deepening rift between Israel and numerous Latin American regimes.
