Editing Triple Frontier (section)

==Security==
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The [[George W. Bush administration]] cited "clear examples" of Islamic groups in the tri-border region in 2002 that "finance terrorist activities." [[Hezbollah]] and [[Hamas]] were believed at the time to operate in the Triple Frontier.<ref name="Frontier in terror spotlight">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2248487.stm "Frontier in terror spotlight"], [[BBC News]]</ref>

The particular geography of the border region, rampant political corruption and weak judicial system make it very difficult to monitor [[organized crime]] and the illicit activities connected with it.<ref>Cristiana Brafman Kittner, "The Role of Safe Havens in Islamist Terrorism", ''The Journal of Terrorism and Political Violence'', September 2007</ref> To U.S. officials and law enforcement familiar with the region, "Iranian-backed [[Hezbollah]] militia have been fostering a well-financed force of Islamist radicals in the region".<ref name=MSNBC>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17874369|title=Hezbollah builds a Western|website=[[NBC News]] |date=9 May 2007}}</ref>

A counter-terrorism expert with [[the Pentagon]]'s National Security Study Group described the Tri-border in 2007 as "the most important base for Hezbollah outside [[Lebanon]] itself, home to a community of dangerous fanatics that send their money to financially support Hezbollah."<ref name=MSNBC/> Of the 25,000 Lebanese [[Arabs]] who live in the region, not all support terrorism, but many openly acknowledge they send money to Hezbollah and that [[Shiite]] mosques have "an obligation to finance it".<ref name=MSNBC/>

The Paraguayan authorities say they have evidence that money is being sent to organizations with terrorist connections because of the amount of money leaving Paraguay for the Middle East, said Carlos Altemburger, Chief of the Department for the Prevention and Investigation of Terrorism in Paraguay.<ref name="Frontier in terror spotlight"/> In response to the situation, Paraguay approved the entry of 400 US soldiers "for joint military exercises, such as programs on fighting urban terrorists, public security and humanitarian assistance", according to ''[[The Washington Post]]''.<ref>[http://www.clarin.com/suplementos/zona/2005/09/11/z-03615.htm "US Marines put a foot in Paraguay"], ''[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]'', September 9, 2005 {{in lang|es}}</ref> However, in October 2006 Paraguay decided not to renew a defense-cooperation agreement.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/03/AR2006100301627.html "Paraguay Hardens U.S. Military Stance"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', October 10, 2006</ref>

Foz do Iguaçu tourist groups dispute the reports of terrorist activity in the region, as has the [[U.S. State Department]].<ref name=bbc/>

Since 1996, the Tripartite Command of the Triple Frontier, which coordinates monitoring tasks among the three bordering countries, has been operating from Foz do Iguaçu. The 3+1 Group was created between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and the United States (the "1"), in 2002 to further strengthen security in the region.<ref name=bbc>{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.bbc.co.uk%2Fhi%2Fspanish%2Fspecials%2Fnewsid_4286000%2F4286701.stm&edit-text=|title=Radiography of the Triple Border|work=BBC|date=22 February 2005}}</ref> In 2005, the governments of the three nations stated they would set up a joint intelligence center in Foz do Iguaçu specifically to monitor the situation.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4798807.stm Agency to monitor tri-border area], [[BBC News]], August 17, 2005.</ref>