Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Known for its exuberant biodiversity and untouched landscapes, the Amazon hides a dark side that few know about. The rise of crime is transforming this remote region into an epicenter of organized crime, changing the map of violence in Brazil and South America.
According to the channel Capital Financeiro, the Amazon is becoming the focal point of crime in Brazil, presenting a lethality rate 38% higher than the national average.
The report indicates that of the 30 cities with the highest rates of violent deaths in Brazil, 13 are located in the Amazon. While other regions, such as the Southeast, have recorded declines in homicides, the North — especially cities like Manaus, Macapá, Boa Vista, and Porto Velho — follows the opposite trend.
According to the channel, Manaus stands out as one of the new “capitals of crime” in Brazil. Historically, the Southeast held this position, but over the decades, the focus of criminal activity has shifted to the Northeast and, more recently, to the North of the country.
-
Updates on the Iran War: Trump cancels last-minute trip to Pakistan and leaves negotiations with Iran even more stalled, while peace proposal fails to convince the United States
-
How much does a cashier earn at Carrefour and Atacadão in 2026? New updated salaries, increases of up to 15% in some cities, and a package with PLR, bonuses, and benefits draw attention and raise comparisons between networks.
-
End of an era: Nissan announces its departure from the country with the closure of a historic factory after 7 years producing the Frontier, negotiates operations with 2 groups, and integrates a global strategy that has already reorganized 36 markets, in Córdoba, Argentina.
-
Brazil has just taken the first step to bring small modular nuclear reactors to the country, with the Ministry of Mines and Energy establishing a working group that will define where to build, how to finance, and who will operate this new energy technology.
Geography Favors Crime
Why is the Amazon becoming the perfect setting for criminal activities? As pointed out by Capital Financeiro, the vast expanse of the Amazon rainforest, filled with rivers and dense vegetation, facilitates the actions of gangs.
The routes used for drug trafficking and smuggling cross not only Brazil but also neighboring countries like Venezuela, Colombia, and Peru. Drug trafficking dominates much of the territory, with Brazilian and international criminal factions using geography to their advantage.
According to data from the Brazilian Forum on Public Security (FBSP), 178 municipalities in the Amazon region have the presence of gangs, with 22 international and national factions actively operating. These factions use waterways and land routes to export drugs to other continents, including Europe and Africa.
Air Traffic and Rivers: Major Smuggling Routes
As highlighted by the channel Capital Financeiro, the Amazon is one of the main routes for international drug trafficking, using not only its vast rivers but also air transport.
The gangs operate in a sophisticated manner, with drugs being transported by planes to Manaus, from where they proceed via waterways to the state of Pará and then to international destinations.
One of the most common routes is the exit of illegal products from Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, passing through the Amazon Basin until reaching the port of Santos in São Paulo, considered the largest port complex in Latin America.
According to an investigation by the Federal Police, the export of drugs has generated over R$ 50 million between 2022 and 2023, and this trafficking network continues to grow.
Crimes Fund Factions and Increase Violence
With the expansion of trafficking and the growing presence of factions, the North of Brazil has seen a significant increase in homicide rates.
Amazônia recorded in 2021 the highest homicide rate in the country, with 38.6 victims per 100,000 inhabitants, according to FBSP data. Violence and drug smuggling, besides directly affecting the region’s residents, also feed the organized crime in other parts of Brazil and the world.
The Migration of Criminality
Historically, São Paulo has led crime statistics in Brazil. However, according to the channel Capital Financeiro, with infrastructure development and increased policing in the Southeast, criminal factions have shifted their focus to the North, where police control is more difficult due to the challenging geography.
The lack of infrastructure in the North and proximity to Latin American countries where drug production is intense make the Amazon a strategic location for organized crime.
The Role of International Factions
Still according to Capital Financeiro, Brazilian factions do not operate alone in this crime network. International groups collaborate in drug trafficking and smuggling, using the porous borders of the Amazon region to expand their operations. This creates a challenging scenario to control, where local governments struggle to combat the rise of violence.
Brazilian factions are also said to drive the destruction of the Amazon, as many of the crimes committed in the region are linked to illegal deforestation, which serves to finance illicit activities.
Why Is the Amazon Becoming the Capital of Crime?
According to the global report mentioned by Capital Financeiro, the Amazon has transformed into a key point of organized crime, not only in Brazil but throughout Latin America.
The rivers, dense vegetation, and vast areas that are hard to access create the perfect setting for gangs to act undetected. The rise in crime is directly related to the lack of infrastructure and oversight, allowing factions to grow and thrive.
What will be necessary to reverse this trend and restore the Amazon’s image as a peaceful and preserved region? And you, do you believe there is a solution to combat this growing problem?
Be the first to react!