What to Know About Hezbollah’s Ties to Venezuela

Following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in January 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Venezuela of harboring Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group. American authorities have long alleged Hezbollah's involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering schemes within Venezuela. Hezbollah's presence in Venezuela stems from the relationship between Venezuela and Iran, both oil-rich countries under U.S. sanctions. This connection deepened under Hugo Chávez, with Iran investing heavily in Venezuela, providing Hezbollah an entry point. The U.S. is pressuring Venezuela's new leader to sever ties with Iran and Hezbollah, though the impact on the already weakened Hezbollah may be limited.