Iran's influence in Latin America evolving, not declining

WASHINGTON, July 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An investigation into Iran's recent activities in Latin America reveals Tehran is expanding its regional operations there by exploiting travel visas, free trade zones and indigenous groups in order to bypass sanctions and deepen its regional footprint.

The Center for a Secure Free Society Executive Director Mr. Joseph M. Humire will release findings of his forthcoming report in an exclusive media briefing hours before he testifies at the House Homeland Security Committee hearing on "Threats to the Homeland: Iran's Extending Influence in the Western Hemisphere."

The briefing will take place at 9:00 a.m. on July 9, 2013 in the Bloomberg Room at the National Press Club (529 14th Street, Northwest, 13th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20045). A short introduction will be given by Mrs. Leah Soibel, Director of Fuente Latina, followed by brief opening remarks by recognized counterterrorism expert and Fox News commentator, Dr. Walid Phares.

The author of the forthcoming report, Mr. Joseph M. Humire, will present a 45-minute briefing on his research findings, which are EMBARGOED until 2 p.m. EDT. Mr. Humire will be available for interviews in English and Spanish following the briefing. A light continental breakfast will be served.

The U.S. State Department's June 26th declassified annex contradicts special Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman's 502-page report published in late May, which asserts Iran has systematically built a "clandestine intelligence network" throughout the region over the last thirty years "designed to sponsor, foster and execute terrorist attacks."

SFS Executive Director Joseph Humire's forthcoming report delves deeper into the Nisman dossier, revealing new details that challenge the State Department's claim that Iranian influence in Latin America and the Caribbean "is waning."

Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), sponsor of the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act, is chairing the House Homeland Security Committee hearing at 2:00 p.m. that same day.

The Center for a Secure a Secure Free Society (SFS) is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit global research and educational center that mobilizes a global network of policy experts that focus on the nexus of security, defense and economic freedom.

Fuente Latina (FL) is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental initiative that provides Spanish language information about Israel and the Middle East to journalists and decision-makers in Latin America and across the Spanish-speaking world.

SOURCE Center for a Secure a Secure Free Society