The powerful criminal networks that are deeply rooted throughout the Amazon basin increasingly pursue environmental crimes as a lucrative income source.
It is an election year in Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro is determined to cling to power. His criminal alliances will be crucial for the survival of his regime.
The hope is that we will see another decline for January, but some are concerned about how the 12% minimum wage increase and El Niño have affected prices.
Venezuela’s rampant dollarization has fed a national demand for counterfeit dollars, and criminal groups in neighboring Colombia and Peru have ramped up production.