"Tackling drug trafficking appears to be the new junta's aim after the coup leaders suspended the constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau. But speaking out about drug crime is still dangerous, and while reporting this story, DW encountered a wall of silence. Those willing to speak often anonymously painted a picture where political and military actors are barely distinguishable from the criminal structures they claim to fight."
"Cocaine money has long been invested in Guinea-Bissau's elections, including the recent one," says Lucia Bird, head of the West Africa Observatory at the Geneva-based NGO Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime (GI-TOC), which published a report on "Cocaine Politics in Guinea-Bissau" in August 2025. She adds: "International drug traffickers have financially supported various candidates. Payments are usually made by local drug traffickers from Guinea-Bissau, though rarely by representatives of foreign cartels."
A military coup suspended Guinea-Bissau’s constitutional order and installed Interim President General Horta Inta-A. The interim leadership proclaims zero tolerance against corruption and drug trafficking and prioritizes a crackdown. Reporting on drug crime is restricted by fear and a pervasive wall of silence. Anonymous accounts portray political and military actors as barely distinguishable from the criminal structures they oppose. Guinea-Bissau serves as a major transit zone for cocaine from South America to Europe, and trafficking has intensified. Electoral campaigns displayed lavish spending with expensive convoys, LED advertising and large rallies funded by illicit money. Payments for campaign support typically come from local traffickers in exchange for access, protection or influence.
Read at www.dw.com
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