For the first time, 13 members of the Ecuadorian Navy are taking part in the Certified Tactical Planning in Naval Operations course at the Colombian Navy’s Almirante Padilla Naval Cadet School. Through May, the students, along with 12 Colombian counterparts, will receive training in planning and orientation in military operations, [ … ]
Transnational Threats
Brazilian Navy and Federal Police Intercept Vessel Carrying Cocaine
On February 14, 2021, the Brazilian Navy (MB, in Portuguese) and the Federal Police intercepted a catamaran sailboat that was approaching international waters. The vessel was crossing the northeastern coast of Brazil at night, carrying 2.2 tons of drugs, distributed in more than 70 waterproof bags. The sailboat, bound for [ … ]
Paraguay: Anti-drug Agents Destroy Nearly 1,500 Tons of Marijuana
The Paraguayan National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD, in Spanish) concluded Operation New Alliance XXIV (Operación Nueva Alianza XXIV) with the destruction of 490 hectares of illegal cannabis crops in Amambay department, on March 8, 2021. “The 490 hectares are equivalent to 1,470 tons of marijuana destroyed,” SENAD reported in a statement. [ … ]
Argentine Gendarmerie Seizes More than 6 Tons of Marijuana
In early March, the Argentine National Gendarmerie (GNA, in Spanish) seized more than 6 tons of marijuana in only two operations in Misiones province. In both cases, agents were patrolling the area when they saw suspicious vehicles. On March 10, authorities carried out one of the operations near the mouth [ … ]
Brazilian Army Destroys 41 Clandestine Ports Criminals Used on Itaipu Lake
Between February 15 and March 5, Brazilian military and police forces destroyed 41 clandestine ports used by criminal organizations on Itaipu Lake, in the state of Paraná. The actions took place during Operation Importunus 2, and were carried out by soldiers of the Brazilian Army’s (EB, in Portuguese) 15th Motorized [ … ]
Bolivia: Agents Destroy Mega Lab that Produced 100 Kg of Cocaine a Day
On March 13, 2021, agents of Bolivia’s Special Force to Fight Drug Trafficking (FELCN, in Spanish) destroyed a cocaine mega lab in the Cabo Juan Wildlife Reserve, Tarija department, on the border with Paraguay. “It is believed that the lab had the capacity to crystalize 100 kilograms of cocaine per [ … ]
Colombia Stops Shipment of 4.5 Tons of Drugs
Joint military operations in Colombia prevented the shipment of 4.5 tons of drugs to international markets. On March 3, 2021, the Colombian Army told the press that its troops had seized 3,538 kilograms of creepy-type marijuana, which were transported in 75 bags on two vessels on the Yarí River, in [ … ]
El Salvador Strengthens Anti-gang Response with More than 1,000 Service Members
The Salvadoran government announced on February 16, 2021, the integration of 1,042 soldiers from its Armed Force, including 51 women, into security operations with National Civil Police officers to strengthen the defense strategy against gangs. With this addition, 9,000 officers are taking part in the Territorial Control Plan, the Ministry [ … ]
Paraguay: Anti-drug Agents Arrest Four PCC Members
On February 11, 2021, agents of the Paraguayan National Anti-Drug Secretariat (SENAD, in Spanish) arrested four Brazilian nationals — three men and one woman — believed to belong to the Brazilian criminal organization First Capital Command (PCC, in Portuguese). The arrests were carried out in the city of Pedro Juan [ … ]
Colombia Captures Prince of Semisubmersibles
The Colombian National Police captured Oscar Adriano Quintero Rengifo, alias Guatala, known as the prince of semisubmersibles, on February 5, 2021, in Valle del Cauca, the institution reported. The narcotrafficker had links to the Mexican cartel Jalisco New Generation, and coordinated large cocaine shipments bound for Mexico and the United [ … ]
Nearly 24 Percent of Global Cocaine Production Passes Through Venezuela
Nearly 24 percent of global cocaine production transits through Venezuela, according to the 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment report of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The document, published on March 2, 2021, reaffirms the importance of the South American country as a transit point for drugs shipped to the [ … ]
Colombia Tightens the Net Around FARC Dissidents
Colombian authorities jolted dissidents of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC, in Spanish) between March 1-3, 2021. Operations on those dates resulted in the neutralization of 10 people and the capture of four others, as well as the disruption of an illegal road these dissidents had built. On March [ … ]