The history of illicit drug trade between South America and Europe dates back to the early 20th century, when opium, which was primarily grown in the Andean region of South America, was transported to Europe via various routes. The opium trade was primarily controlled by criminal organizations, and was associated with violence and corruption.
In the latter half of the 20th century, the focus of the drug trade between South America and Europe shifted towards cocaine. Colombia, in particular, became one of the major producers and exporters of the drug, with much of it being smuggled into Europe via a variety of routes. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Europe is one of the main destinations for cocaine smuggled from South America, with the majority of seizures taking place in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The illicit drug trade between South America and Europe is primarily conducted by criminal organizations, which often use violence and corruption to maintain control of the trade. These organizations often have ties to other criminal activities, such as money laundering, extortion, and human trafficking.
Efforts to combat the drug trade between South America and Europe have been ongoing for decades. For example, in the 1990s, the United States, in partnership with several South American countries, launched “Plan Colombia,” a strategy to combat the drug trade in Colombia. This plan included a range of measures, such as providing military and economic aid to the Colombian government, as well as funding for anti-narcotics programs.
Similarly, the European Union has implemented a number of measures to combat the drug trade between South America and Europe. This includes efforts to strengthen law enforcement cooperation between member states, as well as initiatives aimed at reducing demand for drugs in Europe.
Despite these efforts, the drug trade between South America and Europe continues to be a significant problem. The UNODC estimates that the global coca cultivation has increased by 52% between 2013 and 2017, with Colombia remaining the main source of the illicit coca leaf, used to produce cocaine. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) reported that in the Europe, the number of seizures of cocaine continues to increase, reaching record levels in 2018.
In conclusion, the illicit drug trade between South America and Europe has a long history that goes back to the early 20th century, primarily focused on opium and later on cocaine. The trade is primarily controlled by criminal organizations that often use violence and corruption to maintain control of the trade. Despite ongoing efforts to combat the trade, it continues to be a significant problem for both South America and Europe.
References:
- “Opium and coca: the evolution of illicit drug trade” by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- “Cocaine trafficking and drug abuse in Europe” by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- “Drugs in Europe” by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
- “Plan Colombia” by the U.S. Department of State
- “Coca cultivation in Colombia” by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- “Seizures of Cocaine in Europe reach record levels” by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
