‘Unwavering Commitment to Peace’: Paraguay Designates Iran’s IRGC a Terrorist Organization

Latest Developments

• Expands Hamas and Hezbollah Designation: Paraguay designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization on April 24. The Latin American nation also expanded its already existing designations of Iran’s terrorist proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, to include their “political and social” wings. Paraguayan President Santiago Peña said the decisions reaffirmed Paraguay’s “unwavering commitment to peace, international security and the strict respect for human rights” and opposition to “all forms of terrorism.”
• U.S. and Israel Praise Decision: The decision was praised by the United States and Israel as a step toward blunting Iran’s malign influence in the Western Hemisphere. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the decision would “help cut off the ability of the Iranian regime and its proxies to plot terrorist attacks and raise money for its malignant and destabilizing activity, including in the Tri-Border Area Paraguay shares with Argentina and Brazil.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar urged more countries should follow suit, as Iran and its global proxies are “the world’s leading exporter of terrorism and extremism.”
• Paraguay, Israel Revive Bilateral Relationship: Paraguay’s relationship with Israel has improved under Peña, who reopened the country’s embassy in Jerusalem in 2024 after it was closed by his predecessor. Addressing the embassy’s reopening ceremony, Peña said, “We are with you, we will stay with the people of Israel forever.” The reopening made Paraguay the sixth nation with an embassy in Jerusalem, joining the United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea. 

FDD Expert Response

“Paraguay’s decision to designate Hamas and Hezbollah in their entirety as terrorist organizations is a commendable step in the global fight against Islamic terrorist groups. Paraguay has demonstrated that the international community must refrain from drawing artificial distinctions between the so-called political and military wings of Hamas and Hezbollah, as both components operate in tandem to advance the organization’s goals.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The Western Hemisphere has been a target of Iran’s long terrorist tentacles for decades. Paraguay’s designation hampers the mullahs’ ability to raise funds and bankroll terrorism against citizens of the area. It sends the message that the Islamic Republic can’t act with impunity. Imagine the increased regional security if Paraguay’s neighbors followed President Peña’s lead.” — Toby Dershowitz, Managing Director, FDD Action

FDD Background and Analysis

“Peace, Development, and Mutual Understanding’: Paraguay Reopens Embassy in Israeli Capital Jerusalem,” FDD Flash Brief

“Iran Is Using Foreign Islamic Centers to Spread Terror and Hatred; the World Must Close Them,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi

“The real power behind Paraguay’s new president,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi

“How Hezbollah Fundraises Through Crime,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi

“Latin America’s Hezbollah Problem,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi and Danny Citrinowicz