II
Calendar No. 514
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4665
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 2, 2026
Mr. Curtis introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
July 27, 2026
Reported by Mr. Risch, with an amendment
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
A BILL
To require the Secretary of State to submit a strategy to Congress for countering Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America.
Short titles
This Act may be cited as the Barring Adversarial Networks and Notorious Extremist Destabilizers in Latin America Act
or the BANNED in Latin America Act
.
Strategy to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America
Strategy required
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a comprehensive strategy to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives for countering Iran’s and Hezbollah’s propaganda, missionary networks, and influence operations in Latin America.
Contents of strategy
The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include—
measures that address the proliferation of Iranian cultural centers in Latin America that promote Iranian ideology, including diplomatic efforts to limit their operations, sanctions on affiliated entities, and public diplomacy to expose their activities;
actions that restrict the travel and activities of Iranian emissaries, including diplomats, cultural attaches, and other agents who facilitate propaganda, radicalization, and terror-supporting networks in Latin America, through visa denials, sanctions, or other travel restrictions;
initiatives that strengthen the capacity of United States intelligence agencies to identify, monitor, and disrupt Iran’s and Hezbollah’s networks, including their cooperation academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations in Latin America;
a framework for taking actions, similar to those implemented against Al-Manar and Press TV, to disrupt Iran’s HispanTV and Hezbollah’s Al Mayadeen Español platforms, including sanctions, designations, and cooperation with regional partners to limit their broadcasting reach and digital presence; and
a plan to address Iran’s Al Mustafa International University network and its affiliated entities, including by designating them as foreign terrorist organizations or specially designated global terrorists, as appropriate, due to their respective roles in radicalization and recruitment for Iran’s ideological and terrorist objectives.
Form
The strategy required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form and may include a classified annex.
Short titles
This Act may be cited as the Barring Adversarial Networks and Notorious Extremist Destabilizers in Latin America Act
or the BANNED in Latin America Act
.
Strategy to counter Iranian and Hezbollah influence operations in Latin America
Strategy required
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a comprehensive strategy to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives for countering Iran’s and Hezbollah’s propaganda networks and influence operations in Latin America.
Contents of strategy
The strategy required under subsection (a) shall include—
initiatives that strengthen the capacity of the United States to identify, monitor, and disrupt Iran’s and Hezbollah’s malign networks, including their cooperation with academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations in Latin America;
a framework for taking actions, similar to those implemented against Al-Manar and Press TV, to disrupt Hezbollah’s Al Mayadeen Español platform, including sanctions, designations, and cooperation with regional partners to limit their broadcasting reach and digital presence;
a plan to expose Iran’s Al Mustafa International University network and its affiliated entities, including by working with local governments to address its role in radicalization and recruitment for Iran’s ideological and terrorist objectives;
initiatives designed to weaken the ability of Iranian- and Hezbollah-linked individuals from engaging in drugs and contraband smuggling and money laundering;
actions to restrict Iranian- and Hezbollah-linked networks from their ability to exploit natural resources for financial gain, including by benefitting from illicit mining, including of gold, in Venezuela and elsewhere in the region; and
initiatives aimed at working with partners and allies to counter Hezbollah document fraud operations, including the production of falsified passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and other government identification.
Form
The strategy required under subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form and may include a classified annex.
July 27, 2026
Reported with an amendment