On August 19, 2021, the Colombian National Police (PNC, in Spanish) handed over two members of the National Liberation Army (ELN, in Spanish) to U.S. authorities to face narcoterrorism charges, the Colombian Ministry of Justice said in a statement. Henry Trigos, alias Moncho Picada, and Yamit Picón, alias Choncha, had [ … ]
Transnational Threats
Ecuadorian Police Deals Blow to Narcotrafficking in Guayaquil Port
In late July and early August, agents of the Ecuadorian National Police prevented the shipment of more than 4 tons of cocaine from the Guayaquil Maritime Port in two operations where authorities found the drug hidden among legal goods in containers bound for Europe. On August 2, authorities found 2,123 [ … ]
Colombia: 17 Clan del Golfo Members Captured
In late July, the Colombian Armed Forces weakened the criminal group Clan del Golfo with the capture of 17 of its members during Operation San Lucas, carried out in Cartagena de Indias, Bolívar department. Those captured belong to the substructure Héroes del Caribe, which engages in narcotrafficking, extortion, and selective [ … ]
How the U.S. Helps Partners Tackle Illegal Fishing
The United States is helping partner nations combat illegal fishing to preserve food supplies, improve local economies and protect ecosystems. The U.S. Coast Guard recently assisted the Pacific island nations of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau in enforcing illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The [ … ]
Peru: National Police Destroys More Than 10 Tons of Chemical Precursors in Less Than a Week
The Peruvian National Police (PNP, in Spanish) seized 10 tons of chemical precursors used for cocaine production in the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley, in less than a week. During the first operation, on July 5, service members raided a rustic lab in the district of Llochegua, Ayacucho department. [ … ]
Peru Destroys Coca Leaf Maceration Wells, Terrorist Camps
The Peruvian Armed Forces and National Police dealt harsh blows to terrorism and narcotrafficking in the main coca-growing area of Peru, the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers Valley (VRAEM, in Spanish). During an operation in Huanta province, Ayacucho, on August 7, 2021, the Peruvian Armed Forces Joint Command (CCFFAA, in [ … ]
Colombian Army Dismantles Clan del Golfo Cell
The Colombian Army and National Police captured seven alleged members of the organized armed group (GAO, in Spanish) Clan del Golfo, the most powerful narcotrafficking organization in the country. The joint operation took place in the Montelíbano municipality, Córdoba department, in early July 2021. Investigations by the Office of the [ … ]
Court Investigates FARC for Recruitment Of 18,000 Children
Colombia’s former rebel group FARC is being investigated over the alleged recruitment of more than 18,000 children to fight in its guerrilla conflict against the state, a special court said on August 10. The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) signed a peace deal with the government in 2016 to [ … ]
Maduro Buys Military’s Loyalty with Promotions
The Nicolás Maduro regime announced the list of officers it was promoting to generals, rear admirals, and vice admirals, on July 3, 2021. “The National Armed Force announced the promotion of more than 3,000 officers and 12,000 professional troops, in all ranks and hierarchies. They also reported the promotion of [ … ]
How Russia’s ‘Foreign Agents’ Law Silences Dissent
Harassment and censorship of independent media and government critics is common in the Russian Federation. A so-called “foreign agents” law, passed in 2012 and repeatedly expanded, allows the Russian Justice Ministry to label groups or individuals “foreign agents,” exposing them to fines and harassment that stymie their work. In July [ … ]
Venezuelan Migrant Trafficking Grows Worldwide Due to Humanitarian Emergency
International networks involved in trafficking Venezuelans have expanded to at least 19 countries, taking advantage of the humanitarian crisis that is plaguing the country under the Nicolás Maduro regime. This is one of the main revelations in the U.S. Department of State’s latest report on human trafficking. The document, released [ … ]
Brazil: Federal Police Combats Human Trafficking in International Operation
The Brazilian Federal Police (PF, in Portuguese) joined security forces of more than 40 countries to combat human trafficking during Operation Liberterra, July 5-9, 2021. “The tasks involved prevention, repression, and support activities for victims of human trafficking and promotion of illegal migration [migrant smuggling],” the PF said in a [ … ]