ACCOUNTABILITY
Shadow Diplomats have posed a threat for decades. Governments looked the other way.
The U.S. State Department trusts foreign governments to nominate reputable honorary consuls, despite global accounts of wrongdoing.
An ICIJ Investigation
Shadow Diplomats
The untold story of how hundreds of rogue honorary consuls, including alleged terror financiers and criminals, have undermined a little-known system of global diplomacy.
SHADOW DIPLOMATS
Accused terror financiers, arms traffickers and drug runners among hundreds of rogue diplomats, global investigation reveals
By Will Fitzgibbon
Nov 14, 2022
Data visualization
Shadow Diplomats: Meet 14 controversial honorary consuls
By Antonio Cucho
Nov 14, 2022
- The investigation identified at least 500 current and former honorary consuls who have been accused of crimes or embroiled in controversy. Some consuls were accused or convicted of serious offenses, including drug and weapons trafficking, murder and fraud.
- Nine honorary consuls identified by ProPublica and ICIJ have been linked to terrorist groups by law enforcement and governments. Most were tied to Hezbollah, a political party, social services provider and militant group in Lebanon.
- Some consuls abused their positions to enrich themselves, evade law enforcement or advance political agendas. Consuls have stood accused of hiding cash and contraband in their offices and pouches.
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