Speaking in Paraguay, Secretary Pompeo indicated that "there's no doubt Iranian money remains in South America being used for malign purposes, supporting Hizbollah, supporting transnational criminal organisations, supporting efforts at terrorism throughout the region". He added that "we see Iran for what it is, the world's largest state sponsor of terror. That's a global threat, and we're prepared to push back against it not only in the Middle East but in South America and wherever we find that threat present". Iran's diplomatic spokesperson countered that "Iranian specialists are trying to improve the water and electricity systems in Venezuela", while condemning what he described as Washington's "blatant and arrogant interference in Venezuela's internal affairs".