Criminal gangs have diversified across Latin America, making them more resilient – but not untouchable

Colombia's Gulf Clan criminal organization and Brazil's First Capital Command are among the most powerful organized crime groups in Latin America. My research, conducted for a new study on the transformation of organized crime in the region, revealed that these criminal networks have diversified into illicit and legal revenue streams.

They now generate income from drug trafficking, gold mining, fuel theft, migrant smuggling, digital payment systems, logistics, finance, real estate, and municipal services. This diversification makes them more resilient to enforcement actions, as their criminal enterprises are embedded in various sectors and revenue sources. Criminal networks now wield political influence, often collaborating with local officials to enforce their rules and provide basic services in communities.

According to a 2025 survey, 13% of surveyed individuals in 18 Latin American countries, or nearly 80 million people, believed that local criminal groups maintained order and reduced crime in their areas. The shift toward diversification began in the 1980s and 1990s, but gained momentum in the mid-2010s as drug trafficking became riskier.

Criminal groups started engaging in migrant smuggling, illegal mining, cybercrime, and cryptocurrencies to conceal illicit proceeds. The pandemic further accelerated the trend by weakening state institutions and expanding informal economies. Criminal groups have adapted their structures to support multiple illegal activities, employing front companies and complex financial networks to move money between ventures as enforcement pressures and market conditions change.

This adaptability makes it challenging for law enforcement to dismantle these organizations, as they can quickly reallocate resources and personnel to other illicit markets and engage in political influence.