Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States will move to eliminate Hezbollah and Iranian-backed operations inside Venezuela following the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to a Fox News report published Sunday.
Why It Matters
U.S. officials say Hezbollah’s long-standing presence in Venezuela poses a direct security threat to the Western Hemisphere. The Iran-backed group has been linked to international terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and intelligence operations across Latin America. The Trump administration’s move signals a broader effort to dismantle what it describes as hostile foreign networks operating close to U.S. borders.
What to Know
Speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation and NBC’s Meet the Press, Rubio said the Trump administration would not allow Venezuela to function as a regional hub for Hezbollah or Iranian influence.
“In the 21st century, under the Trump administration, we are not going to have a country like Venezuela in our own hemisphere serve as a crossroads for Hezbollah, for Iran, and for every other malign influence in the world,” Rubio said. He added that the goal was “no more Iran/Hezbollah presence” in Venezuela.
Hezbollah, which is designated by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, has been linked to the 1983 bombings of the U.S. Embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, attacks that killed more than 300 Americans.
Hezbollah’s Presence in Venezuela
Security experts cited in the report say Hezbollah has maintained a substantial presence in Venezuela since the mid-1980s, expanding significantly after former President Hugo Chávez consolidated power in the early 2000s.
According to analysts, Hezbollah operatives gained access to Venezuelan passports and state institutions, allowing the group to expand financial, intelligence, and logistical networks across Latin America. Margarita Island has frequently been identified in public reporting as a key hub for financial operations, intelligence activity, and alleged narcotics trafficking.
What People Are Saying
Walid Phares, a longtime Hezbollah analyst, said the group’s integration into Venezuelan structures created a regional security challenge that intensified after the September 11 attacks.
Matthew Levitt of the Washington Institute said the effectiveness of removing Hezbollah from Venezuela will depend on the nature of any post-Maduro government and whether it cooperates with U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
Carrie Filipetti, a former Trump administration official, said Venezuela under Maduro provided Hezbollah with safe haven, access to financial networks tied to drug trafficking, and assistance securing Venezuelan passports for operatives.
What Happens Next
U.S. officials say intelligence and counterterrorism agencies are expected to play a central role in identifying and dismantling Hezbollah-linked networks inside Venezuela. Rubio indicated that the administration views the operation as part of a broader effort to prevent hostile foreign powers from establishing operational footholds in the Western Hemisphere.
The timeline and scope of future actions remain unclear, but administration officials have emphasized that Venezuela will no longer be permitted to serve as a base for Iranian or Hezbollah activity.
