There is real danger that Islamic extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and Hezbollah could form alliances with wealthy and powerful Latin American drug lords to launch new terrorist attacks, U.S. officials said Wednesday.
Extremist group operatives have already been identified in several Latin American countries, mostly involved in fundraising and finding logistical support. But Charles Allen, chief of intelligence analysis at the Homeland Security Department, said they could use well-established smuggling routes and drug profits to bring people or even weapons of mass destruction to the U.S.
“The presence of these people in the region leaves open the possibility that they will attempt to attack the United States,” said Allen, a veteran CIA analyst. “The threats in this hemisphere are real. We cannot ignore them.”
[…]
Much as the Taliban tapped Afghanistan’s heroin for money, U.S. officials say the vast profits available from Latin American cocaine could provide al-Qaida and others with a ready source of income. The rebel group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, has long used drug money to pay for weapons, supplies and operations — and is also designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
“We’ve got a hybrid that has developed right before our eyes,” Braun said.
Latin America’s drug kingpins already have well-established methods of smuggling, laundering money, obtaining false documents, providing safe havens and obtaining illicit weapons, all of which would be attractive to terrorists who are facing new pressures in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Allen, of the Homeland Security Department, said there was currently a “low probability” of cooperation between terrorists and drug organizations, but the “fertile ground” of Latin America — where government corruption is common and institutions often weak — means that the possibility deserves renewed U.S. attention.
“It would be an unprecedented act. But we cannot rule it out,” he said.
I don’t buy into this one. Drug cartels (especially the FARC) have no direct or extreme hatred toward the US as the US is its primary recipient of drugs. Ask the question of what the Taliban, Al-qaeda or others can do for the FARC or the drug trade; the answer is nothing, except bring unwanted attention and heat from other agencies.
I think they should be more worried about Neo Nazi alliances, such as in UK and France. I can’t see why terrorist would want to team up with drug cartels, it makes no sense to kill potential customers.
Let’s assume this story has a grain of truth in it…wouldn’t it then MAKE SENSE to build a real fence on our Southern Border? We could keep the drug smugglers out, and stop the flood of illegal aliens into America (now estimated between 15-25 million). Or would that upset the National Chamber of Commerce’s ongoing plans to depress Middle Class America’s wages by bringing in cheap scab labor?
Drug cartels main focus is money , and also they need money laundering , so hooking up with terrorists would suit these needs. The terrorists more than likely could provide a money channel out of Latin america , and also would provide a place for Middle eastern drugs like Heroin ect. to come in . Dont think that the folks down south have our best interests at heart. Bringing drugs into this country poisons the users, so I guess I cant see this thinking of drug cartels being concerned with American safety. Truth is many of our representatives in Texas have warned that terrorists have already been making thier way across our borders for quite some time. They probably are here already. So this line of thinking may have some merit, we need to keep an eye out ….
I agree 100% with Michael’s perspective. I too believe that the drug cartels & middle eastern terrorists have a lot to offer one another. The cartels couldn’t care less about Americans best interest or what we would think of them if they were to be known as accessories to terrorist interests. The cartels are only interested in money and power. The middle eastern terrorist organizations have plenty of that. If you think our “friends” south of the border are not helping terrorists come into the U.S. you may be “Dead Wrong”.