The Argentine government announced on Wednesday the arrest of three foreigners from Syria and Lebanon on suspicion of planning a terrorist act.
The arrests were made as Buenos Aires hosted the Pan-American Maccabiah Games, with approximately 4,000 athletes in attendance.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich stated that Argentina received intelligence from the United States and Israel regarding the potential threat. The suspects had booked a hotel near the Israeli embassy.
Authorities neutralised the potential terrorist cell's arrival in the country. The arrests took place on December 30, and one of the individuals possessed Venezuelan and Colombian passports.
The three were awaiting the arrival of an international shipment, a 35-kilo parcel originating in the Republic of Yemen.
Argentina, home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, has experienced significant attacks in the past, including the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy and the 1994 attack on a Jewish center.
The latter, which left 85 dead and 300 injured, is suspected to be the work of Lebanon's Hezbollah group at Iran's request, although it remains unsolved.
Tehran denies any involvement. Argentina responded to the recent October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel, with hundreds of Argentines returning to the country.
The Israeli offensive resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and claimed over 22,300 lives, according to the health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza.
