A new mapping effort has revealed the extensive reach of criminal networks and armed groups throughout the Amazon basin. Researchers examined 1,310 municipalities across six countries and identified illicit actors operating in 768 of them. The findings highlight how these organizations have expanded their influence in one of the world’s most vital ecosystems ([1]).
Extent of the Presence
The study covered Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Colombia showed the highest share of affected areas at 98 percent of its municipalities. Venezuela followed at 82 percent, while Brazil and Ecuador each reached 59 percent. Peru recorded 34 percent and Bolivia 31 percent. These figures translate to criminal or armed group activity in nearly three out of every five municipalities surveyed. The data underscores how widespread the issue has become in remote and rural zones where state authority often remains limited.
Cross-Border Networks
Criminal operations increasingly cross national borders. Brazil’s Comando Vermelho now appears in nearly 500 municipalities, extending into parts of Bolivia and Peru. In Colombia’s Amazon region, eight armed groups maintain a presence across 99 municipalities. Such interconnected activities allow groups to shift routes and resources when pressure mounts in one country. The result is a more resilient network that adapts quickly to enforcement efforts.
Changing Criminal Priorities
Gold mining has surpassed cocaine production as the Amazon’s most profitable illicit enterprise. This change has intensified deforestation and introduced mercury pollution into rivers and soils. Communities downstream face long-term health risks from contaminated water and fish. The economic shift also fuels competition among rival factions. Territorial disputes have grown more frequent as groups seek control over mining sites and transport corridors.
Effects on Local Populations
Indigenous and rural residents often bear the heaviest costs. Report author Bram Ebus noted that organized crime frequently extorts communities and uses residents as human shields to safeguard illegal operations. This tactic exposes civilians to retaliation from security forces as well. In Colombia alone, roughly 78 percent of the rural population, or nearly 10 million people, live under the influence of at least one non-state armed group. Daily life for many families now includes navigating demands from multiple armed actors. The mapping provides a clearer picture of how deeply these networks have embedded themselves in the region. Continued monitoring will be essential to understand how enforcement and development efforts can reduce their hold without further harming the people who call the Amazon home.
