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.
Latest News
InSight Crime’s Cocaine Seizure Round-Up 2022
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
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
Failing prison systems and entrenched corruption mean mega-prisons holding tens of thousands won't solve insecurity in Latin America.
Paraguay Profile
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. Organized crime in Paraguay benefits from rampant, widespread corruption, and criminal opportunities come from being wedged between South America’s two largest drug consumers in Brazil and Argentina, and being adjacent to one of the region’s burgeoning narcotics hubs in Bolivia.
PARAGUAY PROFILEInvestigations
Chapters
News
A new report by Paraguay’s Congress has connected former president, Horacio Cartes, to a raft of crimes.
Corruption, no supervision, and poor legislation have led to Latin American military weapons ending up in criminal hands.
As world leaders met for the United Nations General Assembly, Latin American presidents expressed various concerns about organized crime.
Corruption and a lack of traceability allow military munitions to flow into the hands of criminals in Paraguay.
Brazil's largest gang, the PCC, could be trying to take over the marijuana business in neighboring Paraguay.
Brazil’s anti-contraband operations on the Paraguay border are upsetting Paraguayans and doing little to stop smuggling.

Other Countries
Support Our Work
Investigating organized crime is an expensive and often risky enterprise. Reaching primary sources and getting the real story involve extensive fieldwork. Please donate. Every dollar supports our mission.
DONATE NOW