Government leaders from throughout Central and South America have congratulated the Mexican government for the capture of fugitive drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Transnational Threats
Peruvian organized crime groups exploit children to mine gold illegally
Many of these children and teenagers are also sexually exploited by their organized crime captors, according to a recent report.
Colombian Armed Forces and National Police dramatically reduce violence
Between 2004 and 2010, Colombia, which has a population of 47 million people, recorded the highest homicide rate in South America, according to the United Nations.
Los Zetas is contributing to deforestation in Central America: report
Mounting evidence suggests that the trafficking of drugs (principally cocaine) has become a crucial – and overlooked – accelerant of forest loss in the (Central American) isthmus
Argentinian police report dramatic surge in seizures of ecstasy
The increase in ecstasy seizures also indicates a shift in the way organized crime groups are producing and distributing the drug.
Peace talks with the FARC boosts Colombian oil investment
The boom in investment is occurring as the government is continuing peace negotiations in Havana with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
Interpol: 20 international fugitives caught in Dominican Republic
The suspects were wanted for crimes ranging from murder to financial scams to drug trafficking.
Brazil launches campaign against sex trafficking and forced labor
The latest development in the anti-human trafficking campaign came on Jan. 29, 2014, when Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo announced the formation of the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons (Conatrap).
Peru achieves drug eradication milestone in the VRAEM
As part of an anti-drug trafficking initiative, the government is providing financial support to farmers, so they can make money growing legal food crops rather than coca crops.
Brazilian authorities fight the crack epidemic with police and drug treatment
Brazil, which has a population of 199 million people, has nearly 1 million crack users, according to the United Nations.
Honduran authorities launch security initiative to cut homicide rate by more than half
In early January 2014, Security Minister Arturo Corrales Alvarez announced that Honduran security forces will cooperate with each other and go after street gangs and transnational organized crime groups.
Argentinean Ministry of Security to combat drug trafficking
Drug traffickers are continuing to transport cocaine to Mexico, the United States, and Europe, but they are also selling large amounts of the drug in Argentina