Story perspectives

Narco-Mining Crisis Fuels Crime and Environmental Damage in Amazon

11/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The rise of narco-mineria is fueling crime across the Amazon, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Criminal organizations invest in gold mining to launder drug money and increase profitability.
Peru's illegal gold economy is seven times larger than its cocaine trade.
The COVID-19 pandemic expanded gang control, while corruption and weak enforcement hinder eradication and drive environmental damage and violence, with more than 30% of illegal mining sites now in Venezuela.

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Story summary

The rise of narco-mineria is fueling crime across the Amazon, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Criminal organizations invest in gold mining to launder drug money and increase profitability.
Peru's illegal gold economy is seven times larger than its cocaine trade.
The COVID-19 pandemic expanded gang control, while corruption and weak enforcement hinder eradication and drive environmental damage and violence, with more than 30% of illegal mining sites now in Venezuela.