Washington, DC – A new report by the Washington Free Beacon, citing informed sources and former officials, reveals that Hezbollah has begun expanding its drug trafficking networks in Venezuela on an unprecedented scale. This move is seen as an alternative strategy to secure funding outside the Iranian financial umbrella, which has seen a sharp decline due to military pressure and economic sanctions.
Forced migration of leaders to Latin America
The newspaper quoted Marshall Billingslea, a former US Treasury Undersecretary, as saying that orders had been issued for more than 400 Hezbollah field commanders to relocate to Venezuela. These commanders join approximately 11,000 Hezbollah fighters who gradually entered the country between 2010 and 2019, effectively turning Venezuela into a central operational hub for the group in the Western Hemisphere.
Funding crisis: Iran is no longer an “open bank”
The report indicated that Tehran, which had been providing the party with approximately $700 million annually (70% of its budget), was no longer able to afford the costs of rebuilding and restoring the group, as it had done after the 2006 war.
A request for $2 billion: Israel’s Kan channel revealed that Hezbollah requested increased support to $2 billion annually. However, Tehran only agreed to $1 billion, prompting the party to seek alternative, self-financing options.
“Black cocaine” and the financing of terrorism
The party’s activities in Venezuela are currently focused on what is known as “black cocaine.” This substance is disguised as charcoal-like blocks to evade security forces. According to previous estimates, the party was smuggling approximately $400 million worth of cocaine annually. This figure is believed to have recently doubled to finance its global operations. The Venezuelan government takes a share of these revenues to ensure its continued operation.
US warnings: Venezuela is “Hezbollah’s anchor”
US officials have expressed grave concern over this infiltration. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Venezuela has become a hub for Iranian and Hezbollah activities, asserting that they have “raised their flag in our hemisphere.”
Former US Attorney General William Barr described Venezuela as a “strategic adversary and anchor for Hezbollah.” He stated that Venezuela facilitates Hezbollah’s money laundering and drug trafficking operations into the United States.
Ideological alliance and confrontation with Trump
Analysts believe the partnership between Caracas and Tehran is not merely financial, but also rooted in a shared leftist ideology opposed to Washington. In response, the Trump administration intensified its efforts this fall, conducting raids on smuggling boats and designating drug cartels as “terrorist organizations.” Meanwhile, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continued to condemn the US pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, asserting that Venezuela would remain a “true ally” under all circumstances.
