The United States Treasury Department has imposed terrorism sanctions on a network of seven individuals and businesses located in Lebanon and South America.
The network is accused of funding the militant group Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran and has been designated a "foreign terrorist organization" by Washington.
Among those sanctioned is Amer Mohamed Akil Rada, a Lebanese national who is alleged to have been involved in two major attacks in Argentina during the 1990s.
Rada was identified as "one of the operational members" who executed the 1994 attack on the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association in Buenos Aires, an incident that resulted in the death of 85 individuals and left hundreds wounded. Furthermore, Rada is believed to have played a role in the 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, which claimed 29 lives.
Brian Nelson, the Treasury's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, stated, "Todays action underscores the U.S. governments commitment to pursuing Hezbollah operatives and financiers no matter their location." The U.S. government also alleges that Hezbollah is involved in drug trafficking activities in Latin America as a means of generating revenue.
Rada reportedly spent over a decade in South America before moving to Lebanon. During his time in South America, he is said to have operated a charcoal business that frequently exported from Colombia to Lebanon, using "80 percent of the proceeds of his commercial enterprise to benefit Hezbollah".
Samer Rada, Amer's brother, was also sanctioned. He is accused of participating in various drug trafficking and money laundering operations throughout Latin America. The Treasury Department reports that Samer was previously based in Belize but fled due to a drug-related case. He is implicated in smuggling 1,102 pounds of cocaine, valued at $15 million, hidden in fruit shipments seized in El Salvador.
Samer is also the head of BCI Technologies CA, a Venezuelan-based company reportedly known as a leading cryptocurrency consultancy firm in the country.
The U.S. also imposed sanctions on Amer Rada's son, Mehdi Akil Helbawi, and his Colombia-based company, Zanga S.A.S. Officials allege that this coal exporting company was used by Amer Rada to fund Hezbollah.
Additional sanctions were placed on Lebanon-based company Black Diamond SARL and its owner, Ali Ismail Ajrouch, who are reported to have transferred approximately $40,000 to the Colombia-based coal company.
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