Cross Border CrimeNews

Illicit frontiers: Criminal Governance in the Amazon’s tri-border region

Transnational organized crime has turned cities of the Amazon region like Leticia (Colombia) and Tabatinga(Brazil) into strategic hubs for criminal governance. Historically used as logistical stopovers for drug trafficking, these cities now serve as permanent bases for criminal groups, such as Brazil’s Comando Vermelho (CV) and the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) that participate in a variety of criminal markets in the rainforest region.  

Criminal disputes over the local illicit ecosystem have transformed Leticia and Tabatinga into some of the most violent urban centers in the Americas. Tabatinga registered a staggering homicide rate of 95.9 per 100,000 people in 2023, while Leticia recorded 31.4, making them critical points of concern for regional security. The report emphasizes the connections between urban criminal governance and environmental destruction, with organized crime now being a key player in driving deforestation and biodiversity loss in the Amazon. The CV currently holds the ascendancy in Leticia and Tabatinga. The group oversees a wide range of illicit activities in the area, including drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, and illegal gold mining. 

The report stresses that understanding the urban dynamics of the Amazon is essential not only for tackling organized crime, but also for global conservation efforts. The study calls for cross-border cooperation and intelligence sharing between Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. Furthermore, greater government support for violence reduction programs that revolve around career mentorship for local youth and drug rehabilitation initiatives are essential for reducing the influence of criminal organizations on local communities.  

This publication marks the debut of GI-TOC’s Observatory of Illicit Economies in the Amazon Basin (Amazon-Obs) in its mission to support governments, media, and researchers in addressing transnational crime in this critical region. 

Download https://globalinitiative.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Gabriel-Funari-Illicit-frontiers-Criminal-governance-in-the-Amazons-tri-border-region-GI-TOC-November-2024.v2.pdf