Criminal Gangs Seize Nearly Half of the Brazilian Amazon—A Dire Warning for Global Security

The sprawling Brazilian Amazon, a vital global resource and symbol of natural heritage, is now facing a ruthless invasion—not by nature or climate change alone—but by criminal gangs whose reach has ballooned to nearly half of its municipalities. This alarming expansion exposes not only Brazil’s internal governance failures but also presents a direct challenge to international security interests, including those of the United States. How Did Criminal Networks Colonize the World's Largest Rainforest? According to a recent report from the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety, organized crime groups operate in 344 of the Amazon's 772 municipalities—a staggering 45% presence that...