Mexican drug cartels Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación have expanded their operations into Bolivia to produce cocaine for distribution through Argentine ports.
The Sinaloa and Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartels, two of the most notorious narcotics organizations in Mexico, have set up production operations in Bolivia to supply cocaine to Argentine ports. Authorities in Salta, Argentina, have detected nearly 370 kilograms of cocaine, marked with a distinctive label used by the Sinaloa Cartel, indicating this expansion into new territories for drug trafficking. The arrival of these violent organizations, infamous across the continent, highlights the ongoing issue of drug trafficking and organized crime in South America.
Recent efforts by law enforcement have been mobilized to combat this alarming development. The Argentinian federal forces have intensified operations along the 742-kilometer border with Bolivia, which has become a crucial area for drug production and trafficking. The use of specific brands and logos by these cartels not only helps in identifying their product but also speaks to their organized approach to drug distribution, creating more challenges for local and national agencies trying to curb drug-related crime.
This emerging situation poses significant risks not just for Bolivia and Argentina but for the entire region as these cartels may aim to further extend their influence. The presence of Mexican cartels could aggravate violence, corruption, and competition among local gangs, complicating the drug crisis that already exists in South America. As narcotics traffickers adapt to secure new routes and production sites, the implications for law enforcement, public safety, and regional stability are profound, necessitating an urgent response from the countries involved.
