Iran Reaches Venezuela: Is Trump's Fight Not Against Cartels?

"Hezbollah" launders money and creates networks that help drug cartels move money through the Middle East, and then finances its "operations" in the region with those revenues. This was stated by former special agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Townsend, reports Fox News. He also noted that Iran's cooperation with Venezuelan President Maduro allows "Hezbollah" to operate in the country, which is beneficial to both sides: The Islamic Republic operates safely through "Hezbollah," avoiding attacks from the West, while the Maduro government receives income.

Meanwhile, Itai Tsitrinovich, a senior researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, notes that Iran is investing in both Venezuela's military structures and its economy, with Iranian factories for the production of drones for the Venezuelan army and billions of dollars in investments. "As long as Maduro is there, the Iranians will be there. But if Maduro leaves, Iran will lose an important base for its activities in Latin America," emphasizes Tsitrinovich.

According to experts, for Washington, "Hezbollah's" drug empire in Venezuela is no longer just a regional problem, but a direct threat to the internal security of the US.

These assessments have appeared against the backdrop of Washington sending warships to the coast of Venezuela, officially to pursue drug cartels and criminal groups. At the same time, information is being voiced about a possible armed conflict between the US and Venezuela, with the aim of overthrowing Maduro.