All articles tagged with #drug trade
Right-wing Laura Fernandez leads Costa Rica’s presidential race with 81% of polling stations tallied and 48.9% of votes, above the 40% threshold to win outright; her closest challenger Alvaro Ramos conceded as a runoff becomes less likely, with Fernandez campaigning on tougher security amid cocaine-linked violence and about 3.7 million voters eligible.
Research indicates that Chinese crackdowns on fentanyl significantly contributed to a 34% decline in U.S. overdose deaths, suggesting diplomatic pressure was more effective than street-level arrests in disrupting the illicit drug trade and saving lives.
US President Donald Trump plans to meet Colombian President Gustavo Petro at the White House soon, amid tensions involving Venezuela's Maduro and US operations targeting regional drug trafficking and energy resources. Trump criticized Petro, warning of potential military action, while Petro warned of armed resistance. The situation reflects ongoing regional conflicts over drug trafficking, energy, and political influence.
The ELN guerrilla group in Colombia launched a drone and explosives attack on a military base near Venezuela, killing six soldiers and injuring over two dozen, amid ongoing peace negotiations and regional tensions related to drug trafficking and US sanctions.
Guinea-Bissau's president, Umaro Sissoco Embaló, has been involved in a complex political situation amid the country's role as a major cocaine transshipment hub, raising questions about his possible involvement in a recent coup attempt.
Guinea-Bissau experienced a controversial military takeover amid skepticism about its legitimacy, with some analysts suggesting it was orchestrated by the current president Embaló to prevent unfavorable election results and suppress dissent, amid ongoing concerns about drug trafficking and political instability.
The US imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his family over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, escalating tensions with Colombia amid broader military and diplomatic confrontations related to drug control efforts.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and his family over alleged involvement in the drug trade, escalating tensions amid broader military and diplomatic actions against drug trafficking in the region.
President Donald Trump announced tariffs and aid cuts to Colombia, accusing President Gustavo Petro of doing nothing to combat drug production, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries amid ongoing conflicts over drug trafficking and regional security.
The Trump administration has increased military actions against drug traffickers, deploying advanced military equipment and designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations, leading to controversial strikes and raising concerns about the militarization of law enforcement and international stability.
The US has deployed Navy ships and troops near Venezuela, claiming to target drug shipments, after President Trump announced a strike in the Caribbean that killed 11 people on a boat allegedly transporting drugs from Venezuela; Venezuela denies the evidence of the attack, and experts say Venezuela's role in drug trafficking is overstated.
Colombian armed forces released footage of a high-speed boat chase off the coast of San Andres island, resulting in the seizure of the country's largest shipment of cocaine this year valued at $113m. Five people were detained in connection with the haul.
Netflix's series "Griselda" portrays the violent reign of Griselda Blanco, a notorious female drug lord in Miami during the late 1970s and '80s. The show attempts to humanize Blanco, but the line between fact and fiction becomes murky as her real-life story is examined. While the series depicts some accurate events, such as Blanco's involvement in murders and drug smuggling, it also takes creative liberties with certain aspects of her life, leading to a blend of truth and dramatization in the portrayal of her criminal activities and personal relationships.
Eric Newman, the executive producer of Netflix's limited series "Griselda," discusses the transformation of Sofía Vergara into the notorious drug trade pioneer Griselda Blanco. The series, now streaming on Netflix, delves into Blanco's compelling and male-dominated world, showcasing her dramatic turn from Modern Family's Gloria Pritchett to the cocaine Godmother. Newman explains the challenges of condensing Blanco's vast story into six episodes, the lawsuit filed by Blanco's family, and the unique portrayal of a woman at the forefront of the narcotics business.
Colin Armstrong, a British businessman and former UK honorary consul, has been rescued after being kidnapped in Ecuador. Armstrong, along with his partner, was abducted from his home and driven away in his own car, which was later found abandoned. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping. Criminal violence has been on the rise in Guayaquil, Ecuador's most populous city, due to the drug trade and economic hardship. The president has vowed to crack down on drug gangs and organized crime.