Argentina announced on Jan. 15 that it had designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist entities, citing reports of transnational illicit activity and links to violent groups. The move, coordinated across multiple ministries and the Intelligence Secretariat, follows a similar decision by the U.S. administration the previous day. The groups were added to Argentina's RePET registry, enabling measures such as asset freezes and financial restrictions. The presidency framed the step as part of President Javier Milei's broader counterterrorism commitments.
Argentina Adds Muslim Brotherhood Branches In Egypt, Lebanon And Jordan To Terrorism Registry
The office of President Javier Milei said Argentina’s government designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist organizations, File Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA
Argentina's government announced on Jan. 15 that it has formally designated branches of the Muslim Brotherhood operating in Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan as terrorist entities, the office of President Javier Milei said.
The decision, the presidency said, is grounded in official reports documenting transnational illicit activity, including alleged terrorist acts, public calls for violent extremism, ties to other extremist groups and the potential threat these networks could pose to Argentina.
The decree followed a similar move by the U.S. administration the previous day. U.S. officials have argued that some Brotherhood-linked affiliates have inspired, financed and facilitated operations by groups that threaten the security of the United States and its partners, including through support for organizations such as Hamas.
Argentina said the designation was adopted through interagency coordination among the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security and Justice and the Intelligence Secretariat, framed as part of the country's international commitments to combat terrorism and the financing of terrorism.
"With this measure, mechanisms for the prevention, early detection and punishment of terrorism and those who finance it are strengthened, so that members of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies cannot operate freely," the government said.
The groups were added to the Public Registry of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and Its Financing (RePET). RePET allows authorities to identify and impose legal and financial restrictions on individuals and entities linked to terrorist activity, including freezing assets and limiting access to the national financial system.
Argentina's presidency highlighted President Milei's "unwavering commitment" to counterterrorism and noted that the government had previously designated Hamas and the so-called Cartel de los Soles as terrorist organizations. The statement also noted that other countries—among them Egypt and Saudi Arabia—have designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, and that Jordan moved to ban the group in April of last year.
Analysts say the designation is likely to restrict the affected groups' ability to operate financially and logistically in Argentina and could have diplomatic and financial implications for related international networks. How broadly the measures will be enforced, and their regional and global effects, will depend on follow-up actions by Argentine authorities and international partners.
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