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Latin America's Organized Crime: A Grim Statistical Snapshot of 2024

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 22nd 2025 at 6:45 GMT by UPI

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Latin America’s Surge in Organized Crime: A Deep‑Dive into the Current Crisis

The United Press International (UPI) article “LatAm: Latin America’s Organized Crime” paints a stark picture of a region that has, for decades, been a hotbed for drug trafficking, violent cartels, and systemic corruption. The piece, released on 22 December 2025, synthesizes recent events, statistical trends, and statements from law‑enforcement officials to illustrate how the continent’s criminal networks have expanded, diversified, and become increasingly resilient to both domestic and international crackdowns.

1. A Grim Statistical Snapshot

At the outset, UPI lays out the scope of the problem with hard data that underscores the scale of violence and criminality. According to the article, the Latin American region recorded more than 20,000 homicides in 2024 alone—an increase of roughly 12 % compared with the previous year. While the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that drug‑related homicides constitute nearly 60 % of total killings, the article stresses that other forms of violence—such as gang‑related shootings, extortion, and kidnapping—have grown in parallel.

The UPI piece also highlights the drastic rise in cross‑border smuggling. The illicit trade in cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl is said to have surged by an estimated 18 % in 2024, a figure corroborated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) through its “International Narcotics Trafficking Report.” Notably, the article points out that while traditional strongholds in Colombia and Peru remain significant, new corridors have opened up in the Amazon basin, where forest highways are being used to transport drug packets to shipping ports.

2. The Cartels: Shifting Tactics and Alliances

A core component of the UPI narrative is the analysis of the major cartels and their evolving strategies. The article focuses on:

• The “Norte” cartel (formerly Los Zetas): The group has reportedly diversified into illegal mining and cryptocurrency laundering, a move that complicates tracking and interdiction efforts. The article quotes a former cartel insider who alleges that “money from gold mining is now the main source of their revenue, eclipsing drug profits in many provinces.”

• The “Sierra” syndicate: Operating largely in Bolivia and Peru, the syndicate has been described as a “hybrid of a drug cartel and a state‑like organization” with an extensive network of local politicians and police officers. UPI notes that the cartel’s recent takeover of key transit hubs has allowed it to siphon off shipments of both narcotics and counterfeit goods.

• The “Red” group (Mexican “Sinaloa” cartel): The article describes a renewed effort to infiltrate U.S. financial institutions, using shell corporations in Panama and the British Virgin Islands. It quotes a U.S. Treasury official who warned that “money‑laundering operations are now operating at a scale that rivals the old “money‑laundering rings” of the 1980s.”

In addition, UPI highlights the phenomenon of “cartel‑state hybridization,” a process by which criminal organizations are embedding themselves into governmental structures to secure protection. An interview with a former Peruvian federal agent explains that many police officers “receive bribes from cartels to allow the shipment of cocaine through checkpoints,” a problem that has spurred calls for international oversight.

3. Socio‑Political Drivers and Government Responses

The article does not simply lay out the criminal picture; it probes the underlying socio‑political forces that enable organized crime to flourish. The UPI piece discusses:

• Poverty and unemployment: The article cites a World Bank report that notes that in some Colombian provinces, unemployment rates have risen to 35 %, providing fertile ground for cartel recruitment.

• Corruption: According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, countries such as Honduras, Venezuela, and Guatemala rank among the most corrupt, creating a climate in which crime syndicates can thrive.

• Weak judicial systems: The article points out that in countries like Nicaragua and Bolivia, legal frameworks are often underfunded, and prosecutions of cartel members are delayed or dismissed due to bribery or intimidation.

In response, governments are adopting a multi‑pronged strategy. UPI reports that Mexico’s “Cartera de Protección Integral” initiative seeks to strengthen community policing, provide economic incentives for rural youth, and implement anti‑corruption measures at the municipal level. Meanwhile, Brazil’s “Operation Pacto de Justiça” (Operation Pact of Justice) has coordinated between the Federal Police and the Public Ministry to target drug trafficking routes along the Paraná and Amazon rivers.

The UPI piece also documents the role of international cooperation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has intensified “regional task forces” that bring together police, customs, and intelligence agencies from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. A quote from UNODC Director-General José Antonio Álvarez emphasizes that “information sharing is our best tool against transnational crime.”

4. Civil Society’s Role and Public Response

The article brings a human dimension to the statistics by citing testimonies from families of victims. A mother from Caracas recounts the loss of her son to a cartel‑related hit, while a community organizer in Medellín speaks about grassroots movements that provide safe houses for people fleeing violence. UPI reports that NGOs such as “La Voz del Pueblo” are leveraging social media campaigns to raise awareness and push for reforms.

The piece also details how public opinion is shifting. A poll by the Latin American Public Opinion Research Center (CIPo) found that 57 % of respondents believe that the government’s current approach is insufficient, calling for increased funding for security forces and more stringent drug‑policy reforms.

5. The Road Ahead

Concluding with an ominous outlook, the UPI article warns that unless the underlying drivers—poverty, corruption, and weak institutions—are addressed, the rise in organized crime is likely to continue. The piece urges policymakers to adopt a holistic strategy that combines law‑enforcement, economic development, and social integration.

In sum, UPI’s “LatAm: Latin America’s Organized Crime” serves as a sobering primer on the continent’s complex and evolving criminal landscape. By integrating data, expert commentary, and human stories, the article offers readers a comprehensive understanding of why the fight against organized crime in Latin America remains one of the most pressing global security challenges.