Argentina’s federal police have dismantled an alleged Islamist terrorist organization that was planning an attack on the Jewish community in Mendoza.
Seven members of the cell were arrested, and the case has now been handed over to a court in Mendoza.
The investigation began after a threat was made against a journalist from the Jewish Mendoza community, prompting a complaint from the Delegation of Argentine Israeli Associations (DAIA).
This led security forces to identify the suspect and uncover a larger organization.
The terror cell was reportedly using messaging apps Telegram and WhatsApp to spread hate messages, plan attacks, and share content from groups like Islamic State and the Taliban.
Eight raids were conducted at the suspects’ residences, where police seized guns, swords, blades, and electronic devices.
The seven suspects were apprehended at the Argentina-Chile border and Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires.
Argentina’s Security Minister Patricia Bullrich vowed to eradicate those who intend to instill fear among Argentinians, promising they would face justice.
Argentina, which has the largest Jewish population in Latin America, has a tragic history of attacks on its Jewish community.
The most deadly was the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center, which killed 85 people.
This latest threat underscores ongoing concerns about the safety of the Jewish population in Argentina.