On the Radar: A Border Dispute Creates Criminal Opportunity

This week in On the Radar, a Colombia–Ecuador trade dispute fuels contraband at the border, Peru’s election highlights a state struggling to contain crime, and illegal mining tied to cocaine flows expands in Costa Rica.

Transcript

Welcome back to On the Radar, where we examine the top stories shaping organized crime. This week we’re asking: 

As tensions rise between Colombia and Ecuador, are governments losing ground to criminal groups along the border?

As Peru heads to a final round of presidential elections, what are the top security concerns?

And in Costa Rica, how is the cocaine trade spilling into illegal mining in protected areas?

Dispute Fuels Contraband Flows on Colombia-Ecuador Border

Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa says the country will impose 100% tariffs on Colombian goods starting May 1, escalating a dispute over security along the shared border that began in January. 

But while the two governments clash, criminal groups are taking advantage. Informal crossings are expanding, and contraband trade is increasing, according to a recent report by the Andean Association of International Road Transporters. Colombia has sent a large military deployment to the border, but the countries likely need to boost security cooperation before any concrete gains are made. 

Crime Issues Dominate Peru’s Presidential Race

Peru is heading to a runoff in June after no candidate secured an outright win in last weekend’s first-round presidential election, following a campaign dominated by concerns over rising extortion and criminal violence.

Years of corruption and political instability have weakened the government’s ability to deal with organized crime. Extortion has spread and become more violent, while profits from illegal mining and other major crimes have been used to co-opt state institutions responsible for combating organized crime.   

The next government will face an uphill struggle to rein in violent crime, and we’ll be following it closely.

Illegal Mining Grows With Drug Trafficking in Costa Rica

Authorities in Costa Rica recently seized equipment used for illegal mining near the border with Nicaragua, in an area that’s becoming a hotspot for environmental crime.

This is part of a bigger trend. Illegal mining is increasingly linked to drug trafficking, with the illegal gold trade used as a vehicle to launder profits. As cocaine flows grow, Costa Rica is becoming more important — and the impact is seeping into protected areas.

You can read more about the criminal dynamics on the Colombia-Ecuador border, security challenges in Peru and illegal mining and drug trafficking in Costa Rica stories at insightcrime.org.

That’s it for now — we’ll be back next week with more.