The Argentine government announced, on Wednesday, the arrest of three foreign nationals, two Syrians and one Lebanese, on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack.
This comes as Buenos Aires is hosting the Pan-American Maccabiah Games, a significant Jewish sports event attracting around 4,000 athletes.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich briefed the media, stating the country was on high alert due to the event. She mentioned that Argentina had acted on intelligence shared by the United States and Israel regarding a potential threat.
The suspects were apprehended at a hotel located near the Israeli embassy.
According to a statement by the security ministry on social media, the prompt action prevented the establishment of a potential terrorist cell in Argentina.
The suspects were detained on December 30, with one found in possession of both Venezuelan and Colombian passports.
Bullrich disclosed that the individuals were anticipating an international delivery of a 35-kilogram package from Yemen.
The Jewish community in Argentina, the largest in Latin America, has previously been the target of significant attacks.
In 1992, the Israeli embassy bombing resulted in 29 deaths, followed by a 1994 attack on a Jewish community center that killed 85 and injured 300, marking it as the deadliest attack in Argentina’s history.
While the 1994 attack remains unsolved, Argentina and Israel believe it was executed by Hezbollah at Iran’s behest, a claim Iran denies.
In another context, after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, numerous Argentines returned home.
These attacks, according to official Israeli figures, resulted in approximately 1,140 fatalities, primarily civilians. Hamas militants also captured about 250 hostages, taking them to Gaza, with 129 still held captive as per Israeli reports.
Israel’s subsequent intensive military campaign in Gaza has led to widespread destruction and over 22,300 deaths, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry.
