The article discusses how Colombian and Mexican cartels have established a significant presence in Panama, turning the isthmus into a crucial trafficking corridor for cocaine. By utilizing resources like the Panama Canal, ports, and railways, these criminal organizations have expanded their operations to effectively manage the flow of drugs to high-demand regions, including the US, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Reports indicate that 50 criminal organizations currently operate within Panamanian ports, leveraging local groups to facilitate logistics and control trafficking routes. The shifting demand from the US to European and Asian markets reflects a changing landscape in the global drug trade.
The cartels' diversification is indicative of new criminal order that spares no expense and is motivated to gain control over its routes, from ports and free trade zones to faraway countries that offer the promise of even higher profits.
They've turned the isthmus into a key corridor, a highway along which cocaine moves towards the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa.
Today, 50 criminal organizations have been tracked throughout six Panamanian concessioned ports on both coasts.
Local criminal organizations work with international cartels like that the Sinaloa Cartel and the Clan del Golfo, which finance logistics and coordinate internal operations.
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