Fact Check: Milei added Hezbollah and Hamas to Argentina's official list of terrorist organizations.

Fact Check: "Milei added Hezbollah and Hamas to Argentina's official list of terrorist organizations."

What We Know

On July 12, 2024, Argentina officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, marking a significant shift in the country's foreign policy under President Javier Milei. This decision was influenced by Hamas's recent attacks on Israel, which resulted in substantial casualties and hostages (AP News) [source-1]. The Argentine government also ordered a freeze on Hamas's financial assets, a largely symbolic gesture aimed at aligning Argentina more closely with the United States and Israel (FDD) [source-5].

While the announcement specifically mentioned Hamas, there has been no official designation of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization by the Argentine government at this time. However, the Argentine judiciary has previously implicated Hezbollah in two major attacks on Jewish sites in Argentina, which has led to ongoing discussions about the group's status (AP News) [source-1].

Analysis

The claim that President Milei added both Hezbollah and Hamas to Argentina's list of terrorist organizations is partially true. The designation of Hamas is confirmed and documented, with Milei's administration emphasizing its commitment to recognizing terrorist organizations (AP News) [source-1]. The decision reflects a broader geopolitical alignment with Western nations, particularly in response to the recent escalation of violence involving Hamas.

However, the assertion regarding Hezbollah lacks current official backing. While there is historical context regarding Hezbollah's involvement in past attacks in Argentina, no formal designation has been made by the Milei administration as of now (FDD) [source-5]. This distinction is crucial because it highlights the difference between past allegations and current official policy.

The sources used in this analysis are credible, with the Associated Press being a well-established news organization known for its journalistic standards (AP News) [source-1]. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a think tank that often focuses on national security and foreign policy, which may introduce some bias towards a more hawkish stance on terrorism (FDD) [source-5].

Conclusion

The claim that "Milei added Hezbollah and Hamas to Argentina's official list of terrorist organizations" is partially true. While it is accurate that Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by Argentina, there is no current official designation for Hezbollah. The distinction between the two groups is significant and reflects the complexities of Argentina's evolving foreign policy under President Milei.

Fact Check: Milei added Hezbollah and Hamas to Argentina's official list of terrorist organizations.