Is Venezuela Becoming a Major Cocaine Producer?
In 2021, the Colombian Navy broke its all-time record for drug seizures with 403 tons of illicit substances confiscated. Colombia accounts for two thirds of the global area under coca bush cultivation and cocaine production, according to the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime’s World Drug Report 2021. The great majority of coca cultivation takes place in the departments of Putumayo, Caquetá, Meta, Guaviare, Nariño, Antioquia, and Vichada, in border areas with Venezuela — where armed groups and drug traffickers operate — which are seeing a recent spike. The Maduro regime “demonstrates a complete unwillingness to make the more than necessary policy changes to enforce existing laws. This creates an extreme level of impunity exacerbated by a lack of transparency and high levels of corruption,” the PanAm Post reported. This works as an incentive to coca producers, who see Venezuela as a safe haven, and the once wealthiest country in Latin America mostly because of oil, is now becoming a central hub for not just selling narcotics in the Western world, but also for cocaine production.
Chilean Police Seizes 1.5 tons of Drugs in Arica
The Counter-narcotics Brigade of Chile’s Investigative Police (PDI), together with the Office of the Prosecutor of Arica and Parinacota, seized 1.5 tons of drugs during Operation Northern Scorpion. In an April 23 statement, the PDI said the drugs came from Bolivia and Peru and were to be sold in central Chile.
ICC Rejects Venezuela’s Request to Delay Investigation into Human Rights Violations
On April 21, International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan rejected Venezuela’s request to delay an ICC investigation into alleged human rights violations. Khan also signaled his intention to resume the investigation as soon as possible.
Russian Disinformation Threatens Presidential Elections in Colombia
Colombia remains on alert to the possibility of foreign interference in the May 29 presidential elections. The U.S. and Colombian governments are cooperating to prevent this, Colombia’s Radio Cadena Nacional (RCN) said on April 26.
Conference of American Armies Strengthens Relations for Hemispheric Security
The Brazilian Army (EB) hosted the XXXV Conference of American Armies (CAA), in Brasília, capital of Brazil, April 18-20. General Marco Antônio Freire Gomes, EB commander, presided over the event, which had the participation of 22 delegations, with EB Lieutenant General Alcides Valeriano de Faria Júnior as secretary-general. A different member army hosts the CAA every two years. Brazil previously hosted the event in 1968, 1994, and 2006.
USSOUTHCOM Investing in Renewable Energy
NY Airmen Discuss Space Operations with Brazilian counterparts
BRASILIA, Brazil–Three New York Air National Guard airmen spent April 18 to 25 sharing their knowledge of space operations and their organization with Brazilian airmen assigned to that country’s Aerospace Operations Command.
Ecuador Seeks to End Prison Crisis with New Initiatives
The latest prison massacre on April 3, 2022 in the El Turi prison in the southern Ecuadorian city of Cuenca resulted in the deaths of 20 people. Ten people were also injured and taken to hospitals, at least five of them in critical condition. Ecuadorian authorities blamed the violence on the leaders of criminal gangs vying for control of prisons.
SOUTHCOM Investing in Cutting Edge Renewable Energy Technology
Imagine being able to establish emergency communications and internet services for local populations immediately after a disaster or monitor criminal activities, such as illicit maritime trafficking, without any interruptions for weeks or months?
For the Defense and Protection of the Environment
The defense of the environment and the preservation of natural resources is the primary role of the Brigade Against the Illegal Exploitation of Mineral Deposits. Its focus is to stop criminal organizations responsible for environmental destruction due to the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits to finance their illicit activities.
Wichita Conducts Maritime Interdiction Exercise with Dominican Republic
During the exercise, Wichita deployed her 11-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to the “Brick Bandits” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 6, while the Dominican Navy participated with coastal patrol vessel Altair (GC-112) and Boston Whaler interceptor patrol boat Duhbe (LI-164).
Mexico Captures Drug Kingpin Alias Boliqueso
Mexican authorities captured narcotrafficker Eduard Fernando Giraldo, alias Boliqueso, in Mexico on April 20, 2022, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced. Giraldo was immediately deported to Colombia and will be extradited to the United States for cocaine trafficking, Colombia’s National Police (PNC) said via Twitter.
