Mapping finds criminal networks across most Amazon municipalities

· Climate · Brazil · Colombia

New mapping by Amazon Underworld finds that criminal networks or armed groups operate in 768 of 1,310 municipalities surveyed across six Amazonian countries — Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela — nearly three-fifths of the total. A separate study finds that criminal organizations tied to illegal logging, illegal gold mining, land grabbing and cattle ranching dominate large areas around Brazil's BR-319 highway, one of the Brazilian Amazon's largest stretches of forest, as Brazil moves ahead with further improvements to the road. Together the findings show how illicit economies overlap with deforestation in the region.

Why it matters：Environmental crime is increasingly the operating context for Amazon conservation and for legal commodity supply chains, which makes law enforcement and traceability central to deforestation policy.

Key points

  • Researchers examined 1,310 municipalities across six countries.
  • The BR-319 study links criminal groups to illegal logging, gold mining, land grabbing and ranching.
  • Brazil is proceeding with further upgrades to the BR-319 highway.

Sources (original reporting)

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