Argentina demonstrated its zero-tolerance to terrorism with blacklisting of Hezbollah. The assets were frozen on Thursday, the 25th anniversary of an attack on its soil. The US and other countries applaud Argentina’s decision.
The designation of Hezbollah as a terroristic organization is the first in Latin America, where the Lebanon-based group has been active over the decades. Argentina’s President Macri said that terroristic group poses a current threat to security and the integrity of the economic and financial order of his country.
The blacklisting Hezbollah comes ahead of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s goals during a four-day tour in Latin America. The White House hailed Mr Macri’s decision and expressed the hope that Brazil and Paraguay will take similar steps during a regional counterterrorism conference Pompeo will attend Friday in Buenos Aires.
According to Mr Pompeo, for Argentina, it is an important step in cutting off Hezbollah’s “ability to plot terrorist attacks.
In July 1994, a car bomb exploded at the building of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association in the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, killing 85 people and injuring 300 others.
International community applauds Argentina’s blacklisting of Hezbollah
Argentina accuses the Lebanese movement of carrying out the bombing, an allegation that Hezbollah describes as “categorically false.” However, Buenos Aires has so far failed to provide substantial evidence and prove that Hezbollah was behind the attack.
Bahrein Foreign Ministry highlighted President Macri’s decision as a new step towards the international community’s recognition of the danger of this terrorist cell to global peace and security.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kingdom of Bahrain welcomed the decision of the Argentine Republic to designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and freeze its members’ assets on its territory,” Bahrein said in a statement.
