Tag "organized crime"

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Central America Environment Natural resources and energy

Implications Intensify: Illegal Gold Mining in Brazil’s Amazon Region

A recent uptick in illegal gold mining in Brazil’s northern Amazon states is particularly concerning for private sector actors operating in the territory. It is also posing a serious challenge to the implementation of consistent and effective public policy to curtail such activities.

Environment Insights International

Opinion: Environmental Crime: A Global Threat to Our Planet

Green crime has climbed the agenda of financial institutions, law enforcement, regulators and the technology sector following the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased presence of the climate crisis. The pandemic in particular shone a blinding light on the global wildlife trade and the impact its lack of regulation can have. Companies are increasingly focusing on markers of environmental related crime, however the pace remains slow and poses a threat to increased levels of sustainability fraud. 

Latin America Power Brokers

Colombia’s Gulf Clan: The Capture of a Kingpin and the Future of Colombia’s Cartels

In late October 2021, the Colombian military captured Dairo Antonio “Otoniel” Usuga, the head of the Gulf Clan and one of Colombia’s most wanted drug kingpins. Although Colombian president Duque compared Otoniel’s capture to Pablo Escobar’s killing, the two men were dissimilar in most ways. Furthermore, Otoniel’s downfall is unlikely to have a positive effect on Colombia’s drug war, and may actually cause the violence to increase.

International Security

The Risks of Criminal Activity in Times of COVID-19 Vaccine Nationalism

The slow and unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has not only hampered the global economic recovery from the pandemic. In lower and middle-income countries, the scarcity of vaccine supply has opened up opportunities for organized criminal groups to orchestrate lucrative activities thus endangering the health of vulnerable populations and undermining public trust in state institutions. As the tendency of slow vaccine rollouts is set to continue, the security situation in developing countries is likely to deteriorate.

International Latin America

Will the CICIG secure Guatemala’s future?

The UN-backed International Commission was created to investigate and prosecute criminal networks that operate in Guatamela. After three extensions, the main concern is how the CICIG’s achievements and objectives can

Natural resources and energy North America

Mexico’s oil and gas industry depends on greater security

As the oil and gas industry deals with a very unfavourable international market environment, Mexico’s current government can no longer ignore the risks posed by the country’s challenging security scenario.

International Security

3 unexpected risks posed by transnational organized crime

As globalization eases the flow of finances, goods, and ideas, political risk expands the opportunities and scope for criminal activity, which can have severe consequences for businesses. Organized crime is

Middle East/North Africa Security

PM kidnapping shows Libya’s chaos

The kidnapping of Libya’s Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, starkly demonstrates the country’s harrowing post-Gaddafi security crisis. Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime, the level of instability in Libya has