On the Radar: Cocaine Power Shifts and Seizures

Allegations link Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro to drug trafficking, while Venezuela’s regime, and its Cartel of the Suns, process a major personnel shift. In Chile, a major cocaine and ketamine seizure raises eyebrows.

Transcript

In this week’s On the Radar, we ask:

The US alleges Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro is involved in drug trafficking – but is he?

What does the dismissal of Venezuela’s defense minister mean for the Cartel of the Suns?

And what’s behind a large-scale cocaine and ketamine seizure in Chile?

US Anti-Drug Officials Target Colombia President

Reporting this week alleged Colombian President Gustavo Petro is a “priority target” in a DEA investigation into drug trafficking ties — but with no hard evidence yet. Alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel, Cartel of the Suns, and the “Total Peace” policy are reportedly under investigation. Petro has repeatedly denied any connection to the drug business, and so far, no formal charges have been filed.

The latest allegations against Petro come after Colombia – once a US drug war proxy in the region – was removed from the list of US anti-narcotics allies by President Trump, and sanctions were issued against Petro and his family members. But with no solid proof, the latest allegations could be politically motivated.

Venezuela Dismissal Hits Cartel of the Suns

A major shakeup in Venezuela saw Interim President Delcy Rodríguez remove General Vladimir Padrino López, the defense minister long linked to the Cartel of the Suns. Padrino López had been in power since 2014 and was one of former president Nicolas Maduro’s closest allies. His dismissal marks the biggest shift in Venezuela’s regime since Maduro’s arrest earlier this year.

But the diffuse and decentralized network of criminal cells embedded within the Venezuelan state – known as the Cartel of the Suns – has shown a remarkable ability to adapt over the years, constantly shifting its allies, roles, and strategies without the need for a hierarchical chain of command. Padrino’s exit is unlikely to be a game changer.

Synthetic Drug Seizures Puts Chile in the Spotlight

And finally, officials at Chile’s Arica Port seized cocaine and ketamine disguised among wood and rubber. The shipments came from Bolivia and were heading to Germany, Italy and Mexico, though authorities did not say how much the drugs weighed.

Though a less popular trafficking route compared to some of its South American neighbors, Chile’s proximity to two of the three major coca producers and its Pacific ports – especially Arica – have expanded its role in the international cocaine trade. Arica is also a growing hotspot for ketamine trafficking.

That’s it for this week – at InSightcrime.org you can read a deep dive on Venezuela’s Padrino, all of Colombia’s criminal history, and everything you need to know about cocaine and other synthetic drug seizures in the region. Bye for now.