Organized crime and illicit economies, such as drug trafficking and illegal mining, pose a serious and growing threat to state sovereignty and regional security in South America.

These criminal networks infiltrate government institutions, destabilize entire regions, and erode the rule of law.

The transnational nature of these threats necessitates a coordinated, region-wide response, highlighting the critical role of international cooperation.

Impact on State Sovereignty and Regional Security

Organized crime challenges state sovereignty by establishing "criminal governance" in territories where the state's authority is weak.

• State Capture: Criminal organizations use their vast financial resources to bribe or coerce politicians, judges, and law enforcement. This infiltration, known as state capture, allows them to influence policymaking, enforcement, and regulatory systems to their advantage, essentially putting the state at the service of illicit interests. Ecuador's recent surge in violence, where criminal gangs have openly challenged state authority, is a prime example of this trend.

• Erosion of Rule of Law: By corrupting institutions and operating with impunity, organized crime erodes public trust in democratic governance. This weakens the state's legitimacy and its ability to provide security and justice for its citizens. Illegal economies like drug trafficking and illegal mining often generate more revenue than legal economies, further distorting the political and economic landscape.

• Destabilization and Violence: The competition between rival criminal groups for control of illicit economies and territory leads to high levels of violence. This creates significant internal instability and can spill across borders, fueling regional conflicts and refugee crises. The border between Colombia and Ecuador, for example, has become a key flashpoint due to rising narco-violence.

The Role of International Cooperation

International cooperation is essential to effectively address these challenges because organized crime is fundamentally a transnational problem that no single country can solve alone.

• Information Sharing and Joint Operations: Coordinated regional strategies are vital. Organizations like INTERPOL and Ameripol facilitate the exchange of intelligence data and support joint investigations and operations to dismantle cross-border criminal networks. Initiatives like the Alliance for Security, Justice and Development, launched with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), promote a unified front on security and justice reforms.

• Capacity Building: International partners provide technical and financial assistance to help South American countries strengthen their institutions. This includes training for law enforcement and judicial officials, modernizing border security systems, and implementing anti-money laundering and anti-corruption measures.

• Alternative Development: To address the root causes of illicit economies, international cooperation also focuses on sustainable alternative development programs. For instance, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supports programs that help farmers transition from growing coca to legal crops like coffee and cocoa, offering communities a viable path to licit economies and a more secure future.