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Paraguay

Paraguay has enjoyed relative stability following its transition to democracy in the early 1990s. However, the nation is the region's largest producer of marijuana and traffics more illegal cigarettes than any country in the Western Hemisphere.

Latest News

InSight Crime’s Cocaine Seizure Round-Up 2022

NEWS / 8 MAR 2023

InSight Crime reviews Latin America and the Caribbean's cocaine seizure date from 2022 to find out what it reveals about regional trafficking.

InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up

NEWS / 8 FEB 2023

InSight Crime's 2022 Homicide Round-Up covers more countries than ever before, with a major expansion into nations of the Caribbean.

Why Mega-Prisons Holding Tens of Thousands Won't Make a Difference

NEWS / 25 NOV 2022

Failing prison systems and entrenched corruption mean mega-prisons holding tens of thousands won't solve insecurity in Latin America.

Paraguay Profile

Criminal Actors

Armed Groups

Sandwiched between Argentina and Brazil, Paraguay’s strategic location allows its criminal actors – who have increasingly relied on rampant corruption – to ship drugs through South America and on to Europe. While the country does not have any homegrown hegemonic criminal organizations, guerrillas from the Paraguayan People’s Army (Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo – EPP) continue to test the state’s authority while securing income through extorting rural landowners and kidnapping. Cigarette and other contraband smuggling is rife.

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Personalities

Marcelo Fernando Pinheiro Veiga, alias 'Piloto'

BRAZIL PERSONALITIES / APRIL 13, 2020

Marcelo “Piloto” Pinheiro was considered one of the Brazilian government’s most sought-after drug traffickers until 2017.

Jarvis Chimenes Pavão, alias "The Drug Kingpin"

PARAGUAY / MAY 23, 2019

Brazilian national Jarvis Chimenes Pavão rose to become one of South America’s most prominent drug traffickers and the successor of a line of local capos along the strategic border between…

News

CONTRABAND / 24 OCT 2022

A new report by Paraguay’s Congress has connected former president, Horacio Cartes, to a raft of crimes.

ARMS TRAFFICKING / 4 OCT 2022

Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands.

BOLIVIA / 23 SEP 2022

As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime.

ELITES AND CRIME / 22 SEP 2022

Corruption and a lack of traceability allow military munitions to flow into the hands of criminals in Paraguay.

BRAZIL / 8 SEP 2022

Brazil's largest gang, the PCC, could be trying to take over the marijuana business in neighboring Paraguay.

BRAZIL / 6 SEP 2022

Brazil’s anti-contraband operations on the Paraguay border are upsetting Paraguayans and doing little to stop smuggling.

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