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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]
3 clusters · 16 sources · 34 days · First seen · Last updated
Latin American organized crime expansion
Overview
Latin American nations and European authorities are responding to the transnational activities of organized crime networks. In September 2026, governments in Latin America and Europe began treating borders as critical national security assets to combat drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Specifically, the Dominican Republic implemented a strategy to manage its border with Haiti using military presence, migration controls, and electronic surveillance. Authorities reported an approximately 85% decrease in illicit activities in intervened areas, with over 265,000 irregular migrants deported to Haiti between January and August 2026.
By October 2026, investigations revealed that Latin American criminal organizations, including Mexican cartels and Colombian and Brazilian factions, have significantly expanded their operations into Europe. These groups have established a presence in at least 12 to 16 European countries, forming alliances with local mafias. This expansion includes specialized activities such as Mexican-led methamphetamine laboratories in France, Poland, and Germany, coinciding with a massive increase in cocaine seizures within the European Union.
Recent investigations highlight that these networks are increasingly connecting South American producers directly to European markets through partnerships with organized crime groups in the Balkans. In Belgium, the Bressers-Carvalho trial in Brussels underscored this cooperation, involving 31 defendants and requiring heavy security to prevent retaliation. Experts note that geographic vulnerabilities in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina make them suitable routes for narcotics transport, though local law enforcement often focuses on small-scale seizures rather than dismantling the broader international networks.
Entities
The Guardian · Dominican Republic · Sinaloa Cartel · Los Choneros · Los Lobos
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] An investigation by The Guardian identified American criminal networks operating in at least 12 European countries.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Cocaine seizures in the European Union increased by 471% between 2014 and 2024.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Brazilian group Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) has an estimated reach in 16 nations.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ecuadorian criminal groups Los Lobos and Los Choneros have expanded their connections into Europe.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 149 of the 731 criminal networks considered most threatening to the EU maintain connections with Latin America.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mexican-led methamphetamine laboratories were identified in France, Poland, and Germany.
Timeline
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[CRIME] 2 sourcesLatin American drug cartels expand operations into Europe and the Balkans
Latin American drug cartels are expanding into Europe by partnering with Balkan criminal groups, as highlighted by major investigations and a high-profile trial in Belgium.
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[CRIME] 9 sourcesLatin American criminal networks expand operations across Europe
An investigation reveals Latin American criminal networks are expanding across Europe, operating in up to 16 countries through local alliances and contributing to a 471% rise in cocaine seizures.
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[INTERNATIONAL] 5 sourcesLatin American nations intensify border security against organized crime
Latin American and European nations are hardening borders against organized crime and trafficking. The Dominican Republic has deployed military and biometric surveillance to secure its border with Haiti.
Sources
bl-portal.com · contextohn.com · cope.es · diariolibre.com · diarioriente.com · eldia.com.do · elpaisdominicano.do · estamosaqui.mx · eveeno.com · excelsior.com.mx · expreso.ec · fjala.al · lastoscasmultimedios.com.ar · massinformacion.com.mx · noticias24horasrd.com · notimercio.ec
This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history