Colombian mafia spreads throughout Latin America, increase in crime noticed

The Colombian mafia has been spreading its influence throughout Latin America, the Colombian Ministry of Justice and Law reports. Many mafia members flee to other countries in Latin America, especially Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile, in order to evade law enforcement or to protect their families. Such criminals perceive these countries to have legal weaknesses that would allow their activities to occur without investigation. For example, there is low radar surveillance of airspace in Venezuela and Argentina, and lax crop control in Bolivia permits drug production to flourish. Intelligence reports indicate over 200 properties in these countries belong to Colombian mafia members, including businesses and residential spaces. Because these individuals have dispersed throughout the continent, many countries are reporting higher crime statistics, which include drug-trafficking incidents, arms smuggling, homicides, and kidnappings. Read Article