Executive Summary

We assess organised transnational crime networks are actively penetrating South American security forces and government institutions. The aim to avoid detection, increase profits, and expand their operational capacities. They actively exploit corruption, social disparity, and weak institutional integrity to maneuver recruiting efforts and build up their networks. Once mainly concentrated in Mexico and Colombia, we see a rapid expansion into Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Argentina, Uruguay, and other countries

Meanwhile, criminal networks continue to adapt and evolve to stay ahead of government response. They expand their use of artificial intelligence (AI) and diversify their operations.