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CHARLOTTE – Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) led a major international forum in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the growing link between radical Islamic terrorists and Latin American drug cartels. 200 Members of Parliament and security officials from fifteen South American nations attended the forum hosted by Congressman Pittenger.

“South America is quickly emerging as a front line in the fight against terrorist organizations and organized crime. Hezbollah and other Middle Eastern Islamic terrorist organizations are partnering with Latin American drug cartels in order to raise money to fund their terrorist objectives. Their activities include drug trafficking, gun running, and money laundering,” said Congressman Pittenger.

“Islamic Terrorist are teaming up with violent drug lords located in America’s backyard. While their collaboration has intentionally been discreet, nevertheless their nefarious activities pose a grave threat to our national security and that of our democratic partners across the globe”

Congressman Pittenger was joined by Mariano Federici, President of Argentina’s Financial Intelligence Unit, as co-host along with representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. Experts on Intelligence, cybersecurity, and counter-terrorism financing participated in this important dialogue.

Congressman Pittenger is Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Terrorism and Illicit Finance, and Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare.

This forum is the ninth Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum led and hosted by Congressman Pittenger. At each forum, Members of Parliament and other officials from around the world gather to discuss joint opportunities to combat terrorism and terrorism financing, address cyber security concerns, and learn from experts.

Click here for high-res photos of the event